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International Postgraduate Coursework Awards (IPCA) in Australia, 2015

The University of Melbourne annually awards up to 28 International Postgraduate Coursework Awards (IPCA). To be considered for an IPCA, applicants need to have an unconditional course offer in one of the postgraduate coursework programs. Scholarship includes 25% to 100% of international student tuition fees (Normally IPCAs of 25% are offered). Scholarships are awarded each year based on academic merit to outstanding international students.

Study Subject(s): Scholarships are awarded in all subjects available at the University of Melbourne.
Course Level: Scholarships are available for pursuing undertaking a postgraduate coursework degree at the University of Melbourne.
Scholarship Provider: The University of Melbourne, Australia
Scholarship can be taken at: Australia
Accreditation: University of Melbourne is accredited by the Group of Eight, Universitas 21, APRU and ACU.

Eligibility: To be considered for this scholarship, you must:
-a citizen of a country other than Australia or New Zealand and not a permanent resident of Australia;
-be commencing study at the University of Melbourne for the first time;
-not in receipt of any other tuition fee remission scholarship or sponsorship which, in combination with the IPCA, exceeds 100% of tuition fees; and
-not have received any other scholarship provided by the Australian Government in the last 2 years.

Scholarship Open for International Students: International Postgraduate Coursework Awards (IPCA) are open for international students.

Scholarship Description: The International Postgraduate Coursework Award (IPCA) was established by the University of Melbourne and is awarded to high achieving international students undertaking a graduate coursework degree. The University normally offers around 28 scholarships each year.

Number of award(s): Up to 28 International Postgraduate Coursework Awards (IPCA) will be available.

Duration of award(s): Scholarships are offered for the duration of the course. Each semester of the course the scholarship recipient will be invoiced and required to pay the remainder of the international student tuition fee (Up to 75%).

What does it cover? Scholarships include 25% to 100% of international student tuition fees (Normally IPCAs of 25% are offered).

Selection Criteria: Eligible candidates are selected on the basis of academic merit.

Notification: Successful candidates are advised of the outcome by email.

How to Apply: If you have received an unconditional offer for an eligible graduate coursework degree, you will be automatically considered for an International Postgraduate Coursework Award. Eligible graduate coursework degrees include: Any Master degree by coursework offered by the Melbourne Business School, Melbourne School of Design, Melbourne School of Engineering, Melbourne Graduate School of Science, Master of Teaching offered by the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, Executive Master of Arts offered by the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Melbourne Law Masters offered by the Melbourne Law School.

Scholarship Application Deadline: The Application deadline is 28 February 2015.

2015 HM King’s Scholarships and HM Queen’s Scholarships for Asian Students, Thailand

The Asian Institute of Technology is offering HM King’s Scholarships and HM Queen’s Scholarships for Asian students to pursue a master’s degree program. King’s Scholarships are available in any of the disciplines and Queen’s scholarships are available in environment-related fields offered at the Asian Institute of Technology. Applicant must be graduated in related fields from an accredited institution and have a good education record in a 4-year undergraduate program with CGPA above 3.5 or equivalent and high proficiency in English. Each scholarship award covers tuition and fees, accommodation, and a bursary for living expenses in AIT’s residential campus, for the entire period of the 22-month master’s degree program. The application deadline is 27 February, 2015.

Study Subject(s): King’s Scholarships are available in any of the disciplines offered at the Asian Institute of Technology and Queen’s scholarships in environment-related fields.
Course Level: Scholarships are awarded for pursuing master’s degree program at the Asian Institute of Technology.
Scholarship Provider: Royal Thai Government (RTG)
Scholarship can be taken at: Thailand

Eligibility:
-Any citizen of Asian countries.
-Graduated in related fields from an accredited institution.
-Have a good education record in a 4-year undergraduate program with CGPA above 3.5 or equivalent, and high proficiency in English (a TOEFL score of 550 or equivalent).

Scholarship Open for International Students: Citizen of Asian countries (Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea North, Korea South, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Yemen) can apply for this scholarship.

Scholarship Description:

HM King’s and Queen’s Scholarships

The scholarships provide an opportunity for students of diverse backgrounds from all countries in Asia to study and do research work together in the truly international environment at AIT, to build a good foundation for international understanding among people of Asia. The scholarships are as follows:
-His Majesty the King’s Scholarships: A full scholarship granted to qualified candidates with excellent undergraduate achievements from any Asian country to pursue a master’s degree in any of the disciplines offered at the Asian Institute of Technology.
-Her Majesty the Queen’s Scholarships: A full scholarship granted to qualified candidates with excellent undergraduate achievements from any Asian country to pursue a master’s degree in environment-related fields offered at the Asian Institute of Technology.

Number of award(s): Not Known

Duration of award(s): Scholarships are awarded for 22-month master’s degree program.

What does it cover? Each scholarship award covers tuition and fees, accommodation, and a bursary for living expenses in AIT’s residential campus for the entire period of the 22-month master’s degree program, with values as follows:
-Tuition & registration fees for 4 semesters-752,000 Baht
-Accommodation and bursary for living expenses for 22 months-218,900 Baht
Total value of scholarship (~30 THB = 1 USD) is 970,900 Baht

Selection Criteria: Not Known

Notification: Not Known

How to Apply: Nominations from Department Heads or the Faculty Advisors of prospective candidates are invited by filling the “Nomination Form” and fax it or send by email. The nominees are then requested to fill the application form the website or apply on-line there. If any required document is not yet available, please indicate and submit later.

Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is 27 February, 2015.

Read more: http://www.ait.ac.th/admissions/Current_Scholarships/royal-thai-government/#.VGr9njSUeit

DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (P.R.I.M.E.) Funding Programme, 2015

Applications are invited for DAAD P.R.I.M.E. funding programme i.e. Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (P.R.I.M.E.) available for outstanding postdoctoral researchers from all disciplines and nationalities. The funding consists of salaries instead of scholarships. Funding is provided for 18 months, in which 12 months have to be spent abroad and 6 months (re-integration phase) at a German university. The re-integration phase is mandatory. The German university administrates the salary during the whole funding period. The application deadline is 1 February 2015.

Study Subject (s): Funding is provided in all disciplines.
Course Level: Funding is available for postdoctoral researchers.
Scholarship Provider: The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a new funding programme - co-financed by the Marie Curie Programme of the European Commission.
Scholarship can be taken at: Germany and Abroad

Eligibility:-Applications may be made by persons of all nationalities.
-Applications may be submitted before completion of the PhD. The PhD must, however, be completed before the start of the funding period.
-There are no restrictions as to the country of destination as long as the applicant has not stayed in the respective country for more than 12 months in total during the three years up to 1 February 2015.
-Appropriate host institutions in Germany and abroad must have been identified at the time of application. The contact with these institutions and the agreement on modalities are the responsibility of the applicant.
-The German host institution must confirm in writing that the postdoc will be employed for the whole funding period, should the application be successful.
The necessary means will be made available to the German host institution through separate project funding.
The university will appoint a mentor, who will inform the P.R.I.M.E. scholar during his/her stay abroad about developments at the institution and answer his/her queries so as to ensure successful reintegration at the end of the period abroad. It is expected that the German university shall indicate at the time of application the possibilities for the provision of longer-term perspectives for research at the institution following the DAAD funding. The DAAD offers a list of P.R.I.M.E. contacts at German universities on its website, who can answer questions from potential applicants concerning their institution.
-The foreign host institution must be willing to support the postdoc in the realization of her/his research project. The type of support (office space, access to instruments, libraries etc.) has to be defined and a mentor appointed at the foreign host institution, who may be contacted should problems arise.
-Starting date is 1 September 2015. Alterations have to be justified and must be
approved by DAAD.
-The “Rules of good scientific practice” and ethical guidelines of the program must be accepted.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Researchers of all nationalities can apply for this DAAD funding programme.

Scholarship Description: The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a new funding programme - co-financed by the Marie Curie Programme of the European Commission -  for outstanding postdoctoral researchers from all disciplines and nationalities: „Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience“ (P.R.I.M.E). The funding consists of salaries instead of scholarships. Postdoctoral researchers of all nationalities, who see their long-term career in Germany, will
be given the opportunity to combine the association with a German university with a research
stay abroad. 

Number of award(s): Not Known

Duration of award(s): The support is for 18 months, of which the first 12 months should be spent abroad (period abroad) and the remaining six months in Germany (reintegration phase).

What does it cover? The funding consists of salaries instead of scholarships. The funding is made up of a lump sum travel allowance for the selected candidate and accompanying spouse or partner within the meaning of the law on civil partnerships and children in accordance with the set DAAD rates and the commitment for the employment at the selected German host university for the whole funding period. Successful applicants will be invited to an information seminar before the start of the funding, together with scholars at the end of their period abroad, alumni and representatives from the research field and business.

Selection Criteria: The performance based assessment will take into account:
-the achievements of the applicant to date (scientific and other qualifications, and particular conditions which have influenced the academic progress); and
-the quality of the proposed project and the consistency with long-term career planning.
Both points will be judged separately and both scores contribute equally to the final rating. The assessment will focus in particular on the following aspects of the application

Notification: Rejected applicants will receive feedback summarizing the most important strengths and weaknesses of their application. Successful applicants will receive information on further procedures including the invitation to an information seminar. Reserve candidates will receive an interim reply. The German host institutions of the successful candidates will be notified by the DAAD. They will then resolve the remaining open issues with the applicants and apply for project funding to finance their positions. Following the approval by the DAAD funding can start, 1 September 2015 being the envisaged start date.

Online Application: The mode of applying is online. Once the application form has been completed, all other application documents, if not stated otherwise, can be uploaded. All documents for upload must be in pdf format. If not stated otherwise, all documents must be submitted in English as the selection process will be conducted by an international commission.

Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is 1 February 2015.

Read more: https://www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/22962-postdoctoral-researchers-international-mobility-experience/

Pakistan 50th Anniversary Fund Scholarship for Postgraduate in UK, 2015

Applications are invited for Pakistan 50th Anniversary Fund for 2015-2016 academic year. Scholarship is open for students of Pakistan. This scholarship is available for pursuing postgraduate degree level (one-year MSc) at University of Strathclyde. Scholarship covers tuition fees/living costs/return travel/other expenses. Scholarship is offered on the basis of financial need. To be eligible for the candidates must have first class honours degree from a recognized Pakistan University and must be in their home country at the time of application. The application deadline is 16 February 2015.

Study Subject(s): Courses offered by the University of Strathclyde but Priority will be given to subjects in the areas of engineering, science, technology and business management or any other subject, which the partners deem acceptable or which cannot be pursued adequately in Pakistan.
Course Level: This scholarship is available for pursuing postgraduate degree level at University of Strathclyde.
Scholarship Provider: Funds donated by the late Mr Yaqub Ali through the Scottish Pakistani Association to the University of Strathclyde Foundation.
Scholarship can be taken at: UK

Eligibility: Applicants must be Pakistan nationals and have at least a first class honours degree from a recognized Pakistan University. Since this scholarship is offered on the basis of financial need, candidates with multiple degrees will NOT be considered. Candidates should not previously have studied in the UK. Applicants must return to Pakistan for a period of 5 years at the end of their studies. They will be expected to serve their country and apply their learning in Pakistan. Candidates will not be permitted to undertake further study on completion of their Masters degree. They must also be sufficiently fluent in written and oral English to pursue their proposed studies immediately. Candidates should also have relevant work experience. If scholarship holders do not return home at the end of their award and serve in Pakistan for five years, the Scholarship must be paid back in full.

Scholarship Open for International Students: The students of Pakistan can apply for the scholarship.

Scholarship Description:

Pakistan 50th Anniversary Fund

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Foundation of the State of Pakistan a small number of scholarships are awarded by the University of Strathclyde from funds donated by the late Mr Yaqub Ali through the Scottish Pakistani Association to the University of Strathclyde Foundation. The aim of the Fund is to provide an opportunity for well qualified Pakistan nationals who do not have the financial means to pursue a one-year MSc in the UK. The awards are made for one year only and are not renewable. The aim of the Fund is to provide an opportunity for study in the UK for well qualified students from Pakistan who do not have the financial means to pay for this opportunity to study in the UK.

Number of award(s): For the academic year 2015/2016 one award will be offered.

Duration of award(s): The awards are made for one year only and are not renewable.

What does it cover? The scholarship will meet the full costs of the candidate’s study in Scotland, including travel to Glasgow and return, maintenance and other allowances. No additional allowances will be paid for a spouse or other dependents.

Selection criteria: This scholarship is offered on the basis of financial need, candidates with multiple degrees will NOT be considered.

Notification: The University will be the judge of academic calibre and will produce a shortlist of candidates for the approval of the Selection Committee. Shortlisted candidates may be requested to attend an interview with the Selection Committee in Pakistan in May 2015.

How to Apply: The mode of applying is electronically.

Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is 16 February 2015.

For apply:http://www.strath.ac.uk/rio/postgraduatescholarships/award_27642_en.html

HEC Australia Scholarships ( for Pakistani & Agricultural Students) (UNSW) 2014

HEC Australia Scholarships ( for Pakistani & Agricultural Students) (UNSW) 2014

HEC- Higher Education Commission Pakistan. Scholarships for University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia for Pakistani students. Applications are invited from outstanding pakistani/ AJK National for the Awards of PhD scholarships for the university of new south wales, Australia. The scholarships will be awarded for academic session starting from February/ March 2015/. Eligibility Criteria:

1. Pakistani / AJK National
2. Candidates must have minimum 18 years of education
3. Maximum two second divisions throughout the academic career
4. Maximum age on Monday December 15, 2014
5. Applicants need to have minimum cumulative 50% marks as per HEC academic Evaluation formula.
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Developing nation: ‘Emerging job market in agriculture’

Young professionals should consider the emerging job market in the agriculture sector,” said Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Pro Chancellor Syed Babar Ali on Saturday.

He was addressing a roundtable session on agri-business opportunities in Pakistan at University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Former agriculture secretary Captain (r) Arif Nadeem and UAF VC Iqrar Ahmad Khan were also present. Ali urged female students to explore new businesses and entrepreneurial ideas to contribute to the society.

He said the student exchange programmes with other agriculture universities should be promoted so that students could learn from each other’s experiences.

He asked university management to encourage younger faulty to pursue international qualifications.

Ali urged university management to arrange meetings between farmers and faculty and students. Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmed Khan said UAF was sending its students to India to explore new business ideas. He said young researchers needed to work on potato, fodder and citrus.

Published in The Express Tribune

2015 Department of Biology Fully Funded PhD Studentship at University of York, UK

Department of Biology Fully Funded PhD Studentship at University of York, UK
University of York is offering a fully funded PhD studentship for an October 2015 start. The studentship is available to UK and EU students who meet the UK residency requirements. This 3 year studentship offers ten projects in different areas of Biology and Biochemistry. The successful candidate will be required to contribute to departmental teaching by undertaking 30 hours/year demonstrating for Biology practicals. The application deadline is 11 January 2015.

Study Subject(s): Studentship offers projects across areas of biology and biochemistry. There are 10 projects available for application divided by the following research areas: Biochemistry & Biophysics, Cell & Developmental Biology, Ecology & Evolution, Molecular & Cellular Medicine and Plant Biology.
Course Level: Studentship is available for PhD research programme.
Scholarship Provider: University of York, UK
Scholarship can be taken at: UK

Eligibility: Academic requirements
-Students applying for this research programme should normally have obtained an upper second class honours degree (or equivalent).
-The studentships are available to UK and EU students who meet the UK residency requirements.

Scholarship Open for International Students: UK and EU students can apply for this fully funded PhD studentship.

Scholarship Description: The Department of Biology is offering a fully-funded 3-year PhD studentship for an October 2015 start. Ten projects in different areas of Biology and Biochemistry are available for application. The competition for this studentship will run alongside our other funded PhD programmes. The successful candidate will be required to contribute to departmental teaching by undertaking 30 hours/year demonstrating for Biology practicals.

Number of award(s): One fully funded PhD studentship is available.

Duration of award(s): The duration of award is 3 years.

What does it cover? The studentship is fully funded by the Department of Biology and covers: (i) a tax-free annual stipend at the standard Research Council rate (estimated £14,002 for 2015-2016), (ii) research costs, and (iii) tuition fees at the UK/EU rate.

Selection Criteria: Not Known

Notification: Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview to take place at the University of York on Thursday 5 February 2015. Video interviews can be arranged if absolutely necessary. Candidates will be asked to give a 10 minute presentation prior their interview by an academic panel.

How to Apply: Applications are made via “Select” (University’s Online Application Service). Your application can be completed in stages as online system allows you to save your progress and come back later to finish it. They do not require you to provide a sample of written work. Please select ’2015 October, Full Time’ as your start date and then click on the ‘Start application’ button. It is very important that you write the title of the project you are applying to and the names of the project supervisors.

Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is 11 January 2015.

For Apply: http://www.york.ac.uk/biology/postgraduate/biologystudentship/#tab-1

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Erasmus Mundus Masters and PhD Scholarships Europe

Written by Erasmus Mundus Masters and PhD Scholarships Europe

Below are the Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses that will be offering scholarships for courses starting in the academic year 2015-2016Erasmus Mundus Masters and PhD Scholarships Europe:

1) Link for Erasmus Mundus Master Programs
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/…/selected_projects_action_1_mast… 
2) Link for Erasmus Mundus PhD
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/…/selected_projects_action_1_join 

Various PhD and Post Doc Positions available at KTH - Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm, Sweden

Written by Various PhD and Post Doc Positions available at KTH - Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm, Sweden

Various PhD and Post Doc Positions available at KTH - Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm, Sweden

For Apply Visit:

https://www.kth.se/en/om/work-at-kth/lediga-jobb

https://www.kth.se/en

                                 

HSE, Education & Agriculture initial target for job cuts

2,000 public sector jobs to go on voluntary basis

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform says the government is seeking voluntary redundancies in the public sector beginning with staff in the Health Service Executive (HSE), Education and Agriculture.

The Cabinet will discuss the proposals this morning which would see 2,000 public sector jobs lost on a voluntary basis.

If these plans are approved staff will be offered 3 weeks pay for each year of service on top of their statutory redundancies.

That is the same package that was offered to workers as part of the HSE redundancy scheme in 2010.

The government has already reduced public sector numbers by around 30,000 since 2008.

And it is hoping to shed the workforce through this targeted scheme by another 4,000 before 2015.

Croke Park talks continue

Meanwhile negotiations are continuing for a new Croke Park agreement.

The Taoiseach is warning that the government will introduce legislation to force pay cuts on workers if unions fail to agree to cuts of €1 billion under a new deal.

Minister Howlin says staff will be offered the same terms that HSE staff were offered in a previous scheme.

Speaking on his way into the Cabinet meeting this morning Public Expenditure Minister Howlin said this is the first time the government has looked for voluntary redundancies on a targeted basis.

Original Article Here

Agriculture's image problem: 4000 jobs a year, and 700 graduates

By MICHELLE MEEHAN

The agriculture industry has an image problem.

That’s the belief of Professor Jim Pratley from Charles Sturt University, who is undertaking a review into agricultural education for the NSW Government.

Professor Pratley, who was at Tocal College yesterday for a NSW agriculture teachers conference, said a huge gap existed between the number of graduate-level positions and the number of students completing tertiary courses.

“In the university sector, the job market is about 4000 a year and we’re producing something under 700 graduates, it’s about a 6 to 1 ratio at the moment, it’s a huge gap,” he said.

“Our supply of people into the workforce after [they have completed] training has seen a 40 per cent decline in the last decade.”

In the past 20 years Professor Pratley said first business and then the IT sectors took a large chuck of prospective students from the industry, while well paying mining and medical-related opportunities continued to appear as more attractive career options.

“One of the problems is that we’ve had trouble getting the message through that there are great opportunities in agriculture,” he said.

“The salary levels now are in the top five for university graduates.

“But agriculture has not been seen as sexy, it’s been seen as old world, it’s been seen as long hours, lots of stress.

“It hasn’t been seen for what it is, which is a high tech, really modern industry.” 

Agronomy - the science of soil management and crop production - has been the hardest hit area, with one university-qualified agronomist for every 10 jobs available.

Professor Pratley said the undersupply of labour opened up the door for “snake oil salesmen” to push their products on farmers.

“There’s a lot of products out on the market that have no effect at all and farmers are paying millions and millions of dollars for those and we’re struggling to have enough experts to be able to say ‘don’t use this, it doesn’t work’,” he said.

“We’re into the evidence free zone, a bit like some of the claims for nutrition and medical products you see.

“It’s happening in agriculture and it’s at a peak now, so we really have to get rid of it.”

The state government announced the terms of reference for its independent review into agricultural education and training in July last year, with a report and recommendations due by the end of June.

The review is designed to identify whether the education and training in NSW is appropriate for the future needs of the agriculture industry, as well as highlighting measures to promote the sector to students as an attractive career choice.

Original Article Here

Agriculture jobs uncertain

Local Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Lachlan Catchment Management Authority (CMA) workers face an uncertain future after the State Government announced plans to slash 300 jobs from the department recently. minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, announced the cuts last fortnight, revealing plans to axe 300 jobs, including 90 from Agriculture NSW and 110 from the Catchment Management Authorities.

The O’Farrell government says the job cuts are necessary to pave the way for the amalgamation of three organisations into the new Local Land Services department by January 2014.

Sources who spoke to the Advocate said DPI staff were worried about the impact of the budget cuts and restructure.

“There is a lot of uncertainty,” one source said.

“It affects people in the Forbes office for sure.”

The Advocate believes up to four positions from the local Agriculture NSW office will be cut or moved, including two district agronomists, and both the beef cattle and sheep and wool officers.

It is not known how many positions will be cut at the Lachlan CMA, which has its head office in Forbes.

It is believed staff were briefed on the budget cuts last week but there is still uncertainty about which jobs will be made redundant and the exact descriptions of the new positions at the amalgamated Local Land Services (LLS).

Sources said many of the jobs that are kept will be relocated and the location of new offices will not be known until the LLS boundaries are finalised.

“There will be roles in the LLS and some roles within DPI but that hasn’t been sorted out at the moment,” the source said.

The NSW Agriculture district agronomists and livestock officers are highly valued by the local agricultural industry, as they provide independent advice and information to local growers and producers.

The department’s extension services also help growers and producers take advantage of opportunities to trial new crop and fodder varieties and to develop markets for their beef, lamb and wool.

Minister Hodgkinson yesterday said 50 industry development positions would exist in the DPI under the restructure, including agronomists, livestock officers, horticulture officers and in the areas of irrigation, soils and climate. 

Local Land Services will initially field up to 45 advisory officers across the state and current DPI district agronomists would be encouraged to apply for these roles.

“One of the principles driving Local Land Services is the localised decision making and budget control,” said Ms Hodgkinson.

“This gives the boards of Local Land Services the flexibility to employ additional services which meet the needs of local farmers – so if a Local Land Services region would like additional agronomists or specialist advisors, they will have the power to add these services,” she said.

Original Article Here

Agriculture Ministry to establish youth department

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will establish a Department of Youth in Agriculture to cater for youths in agribusiness, under the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) initiative.

The Minister, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, made this known in Abuja at the end of a two-day workshop on the National Presidential Initiative on YEAP.

According to him, the department will ensure that the programme designed by the youths during the workshop is implemented.

He said that this way, a system would be put in place for monitoring and evaluation.

Adesina said that government resolved to set up a structure that was youth-led to enable them design a programme that would create the next “Nagropreneurs’’ in the country.

“All the things that came out of this workshop will be implemented within an institutionalised framework. The initiative is important to Mr President because he promised Nigerians that he was going to create jobs and we hope to create one million jobs from this initiative.’’

The minister said that the president promised the youths that he would ensure the development of an insurance facility around the YEAP initiative.

He told the youths that he would convey the decision reached by them at the workshop to the President Goodluck Jonathan.

Earlier, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, observed that the Federal Government would engage the youths in rice production to sustain the transformation agenda on rice.

He said that the young farmers would be directly linked to rice mills that would process the rice after harvest.

“This is to help the young farmers sell their rice because the demand for rice in this country is up to 5 million tonnes on an annual basis and the production for rice about 50 per cent.

“So, the other 50 per cent will have to come from our own production. Gradually, before 2015, we will be producing all the required rice in Nigeria.’’

He encouraged other young famers to embrace the initiative.

In his remarks, Mr James Awoniyi, member of the Cassava Growers Association (CGA), advised the Federal Government to critically examine funding in agriculture.

He said that government should do everything possible to get youths involved in agribusiness.

A farmer, Miss Cynthia Umoru, commended the ministry for allowing the youths develop a framework to overcome the image of drudgery that had discouraged many youths from going into agriculture.

According to her, she left a “choice’’ career to go into agriculture and has never regretted taking the decision.

Seventy youths attended the workshop from across the country.

Original Article Here