FG lures youths into agriculture

Determined to reserve the current pyramid structure in the agricultural sector where the old engage in farming as to be able to feed the younger population, Federal Government has indicated its readiness to provide endearing facilities that will command the passion of Nigerian youths to agriculture.

The �38th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development� which held in Abuja Monday had expressed concerns that the inverted pyramid styles whereby the old farmers feed the younger generation Nigerians was not sustainable.

Mrs. Fatima Bamidele, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture stated that one of the high point of last year�s council meeting was encouraging Nigerian youths to take to farming, adding that it was also the vocal point at the 34th Governing Council of the International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD) held in Italy in February.

According to her, “One of the far reaching decisions were taken on issues food storage, low agricultural productivity, high food process, threat from pests and diseases to farms and farm products, availability of agro-inputs, institutional funding arrangements for agricultural programmes and projects, irrigation and mechanization services, grazing reserves and encouraging youth in farming et at the epochal 2010 council meeting”

The IFAD meeting, Bamidele elucidated, dwelt extensively on the need to unleash the potentials of young rural people by concertedly deploying the great opportunities in agriculture and agro-allied sectors to their advantage and making out of them, productive and prosperous farmers”

She said, “It is my informed opinion that the 38th council should, amongst others explore practicable ways of making our youths takes active interest in agriculture as a way of life. This, l must say, is one measure that would guarantee sustainable food security.

Paramount to the government, the Bamidele noted that the need to up date all stakeholders in agriculture on global and local timely information on issues that has to do with the sector.

“Another cardinal area, to my mind which demands urgent and concerted attention of the council, is the overriding need to take effective action on agricultural planning, data collection, and analysis, monitoring and evaluation, periodic reporting and dissemination of vital agricultural information to all relevant stakeholders.”

Source : Daily Champion