Youths’ interest in agri training skyrocketing

Admission to the government's training programmes on agriculture has apparently become highly competitive as a section of jobless youths is trying to survive the Covid-19 impact through farming.

The competition has become so intense that the Department of Youth Development (DYD) is struggling to accommodate candidates.

"There are 60 seats for training on agriculture but we're seeing number of applicants reaching 800-1,200," said Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir, director general of DYD, yesterday while addressing a webinar.

ActionAid organised the programme to launch a survey report titled "Impact of Covid-19 in the life of young women for advocacy and policy intervention in a post-Covid world".

The survey was conducted on 550 young women aged between 18 and 35 in 10 districts -- Dhaka, Chattogram, Kushtia, Nilphamari, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jamalpur, Dinajpur, Naogaon and Kurigram.

Addressing the programme as chief guest, Akhtaruz Zaman said many youths who have lost their livelihood due to Covid-19 left Dhaka for villages. Now, they are turning to farming.

DYD trains youths aged between 18 and 35 on different fields to develop their professional skills.

Akhtaruz Zaman said compared to other fields, youths have shown more interest in agriculture. "To cope with the pressure of candidates, we have increased the number of sessions," he said.

According to the survey, 95 percent of the 550 respondents faced detrimental effect on their lives and livelihoods during the pandemic. Their average monthly income came down from pre-pandemic level of Tk 6,273 to Tk 4,408 by September.

About 65 percent interviewees said they have to borrow money to manage their expenditure.

Among the respondents, 74 percent said they needed immediate food, 61 percent said they were in need of healthcare, and 48 percent said they required a source of livelihood and income.

Nazmul Ahsan, manager (Young People), ActionAid Bangladesh, said Covid-19 has brought a crisis to all, especially the youth and women. "Measures need to be taken to reintegrate women into the social, cultural and economic spheres," he added.

Morium Nesa, manager (Women Rights and Gender Equity), ActionAid Bangladesh, also spoke on the occasion.