The Development Consultant/Co-founder, No Hunger Network Nigeria, Mr. Unyime Abasi Ben, has tasked the government on agribusiness sensitization as part of entrepreneurship education, while urging Nigerian youths to embrace agriculture to boost agricultural production and improve their livelihood.
In an interview with AgroNigeria on Thursday, he said there are diverse career opportunities in agriculture that young people might not be aware of “We have the likes of Technology Automation, Food Processing, Agricultural Products Supply Chain, Agri-Tech Startups, Agriculture and Nutritional Policies Engagement” etc.
Speaking on the primary reasons why many young people are not choosing careers in agriculture, he said “Most young people primarily see agriculture at just the angle of production which has to do with farm work. Meanwhile the whole agriculture value chain comprising production, processing, marketing, consumption and waste reuse are viable opportunities for young people to engage, especially, using the power of new technologies.”
“Also, if the production aspect were to be mechanized, young people would be attracted to agriculture.”
He said attracting young people into agriculture requires a practical approach. This must begin from production, that is, making it mechanized instead of the primitive techniques used for many ages. The Local Governments Areas where farmlands are located need tractors and other farm machinery and make the same accessible to the farmers. Once this is done, the news will spread by itself like wildfire.
More so, “There is a need for agribusiness sensitization as part of entrepreneurship education from primary, secondary to tertiary education levels. This should also be extended to socio-political groups, religious bodies, youth and women associations.” He said.