Youths involvement in agriculture: Strengths and opportunities

Oluwatomi Olatoye

The feedback received from readers  on youth involvements in agriculture is overwhelming. It is just a confirmation that Nigerian youths are interested, willing and ready to participate in food production in Nigeria. 

The purpose of this article is to  further encourage youths  and to profer suggestions  that will result in increased participation in agricultural activities by young people in Nigeria

Agriculture is identified as one of the four economic pillars. Its importance, as a priority area in the country for development,  is therefore unquestionable. The nexus between youths in agricultural development and the country’s ability to achieve its food  security goals are inextricably linked.

The increased participation by youth in agriculture in Nigeria is necessary and vital to facilitate food security and also  ensure the sustainability of agricultural production and realisation of the agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Govermment.

There is compelling evidence of an ageing farmer population in the country which must be addressed to facilitate sustainability in agricultural production.  The average age of farmers in Nigeria is 65 years , if young farmers do not replace the ageing producers, the production of food within the country will be seriously compromised in the next 10-15 years.

It is necessary to encourage increased food production in the country by increasing the number of producers and the level of productivity. The youth population is strategic to the success of these efforts to boost food production.

Also, the poor image of persons involved in agriculture needs to be changed and the young people are the ideal catalysts for such change, given their greater propensity and willingness to adopt new ideas, concepts and technology which are all critical to changing the way agriculture is practiced and perceived.

Strengths of Youth involvement in Agriculture :
• The latent energy, capacity and ability to produce
• Excellent source of ideas and innovation and areas of interest in the agricultural sector
Opportunities for Youth Involvement in Agriculture
• Vibrant and expanding market for primary and secondary agricultural commodities offers tremendous opportunities for young people to earn good income from agricultural activities
• There are existing incentives and policies that target youth involvement in agriculture which encourages young persons.
• Many tertiary training opportunities exist for young persons interested in agriculture.
• Throughout the country, there are a number of existing agricultural agencies, NGOs  that youth can become involved in.

The following are some suggestions for increasing youth involvement in Agriculture:
1. Improved access to training and capacity development: Proper training should be provided by all the tiers of governmets, private organisations and NGOs.
Agropreneur Nigeria, in  collaboration with CUAD, is putting together a summit on youth in agriculture. We observed that large sections of the youth population are untrained and modern agriculture requires trained personnel.

2.Provision of proper information on many opportunities in agriculture -  this will result in Increased employment of youths in agriculture.

3. Improved training at the primary and secondary school level. Linking school agricultural operations with general curriculum

4. More opportunities for on farm training for youth

5. Enterprise development training, particularly in value added activities such as food processing and packaging.

6. Improved and easier access to resources such as: Land, capital, technology and information, facilitating.

7. Developing a data base of agencies that can provide access to youth on information in agriculture

8. Facilitating market opportunities and providing targeted marketing opportunities for primary and value-added agricultural products produced by young entrepreneurs.

9. Providing motivation and improving the image of agriculture. Update policies and incentives

10. The private sector, NGOs can help facilitate networking among youth. Providing incentives to encourage collaboration and group activity of youth.

Youths already in agriculture should email their success stories to urbanagric@yahoo.com. Also, youths that are interested in agriculture should text their name. Location and area(s) of interest to 08052069264
Happy farming!

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