Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, emphasized the crucial role of youth in transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and ensuring food security at the National Youth in Agriculture Convention in Abuja.
“The future of the nation’s food security lies in your hands,” Abdullahi told the youth, urging them to seize opportunities in the agricultural sector.
He disproved the notion that Nigerian youth are disinterested in agriculture, saying they are keen to participate but need the right conditions and support.
Abdullahi highlighted the federal government’s commitment to enhancing food security through innovative programs, including agricultural mechanization, soil health, and youth involvement.
President Bola Tinubu has approved initiatives like the Greener Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme, aiming to introduce 10,000 hectares of mechanized farming across Nigeria’s 774 agricultural areas over the next five years.
Abdullahi stressed the importance of aligning agricultural practices with modern technology to boost productivity and make farming appealing to younger generations.
He also advocated for the adoption of dry-season farming and the utilization of Nigeria’s abundant water resources to address climate change challenges.
NWAPDI national coordinator, Farmer Omolara Svensson, emphasized the significant potential of young leaders in shaping the nation’s agricultural future, urging them to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead.