In recent times, agriculture has been garnering a lot of attention from various sectors and stakeholders, particularly the government, youth and international organizations. Agriculture as we have come to know, is the foundation of any sustainable society, and a significant contributor to economic growth and development. It is, therefore, not surprising that it has come to the forefront of discussions in Nigeria as a way to solve the countryâs various problems such as unemployment, food insecurity, and foreign exchange crises. The big question, however, is how can the Nigerian Youth, in particular, embrace Agriculture?
So why exactly should the Nigerian youth embrace Agriculture? Firstly, Agriculture is a significant sector in Nigeria’s economy, accounting for about 23% of the country’s GDP. It is evident that as stewards of the future, Nigerian youth hold a significant responsibility to contribute to the growth and development of the countryâs economy. The Nigerian agricultural sector provides unquantifiable opportunities that every Nigerian, particularly youth, should take advantage of to better themselves and the country.
One of the most significant advantages of Agriculture is that it creates jobs. Today, unemployment is one of the challenges facing Nigeria. The current population growth rate is high, and there is a lopsided distribution of skilled labour, with many Nigerians not finding jobs that match their expertise. Agriculture has the potential to address this problem by creating jobs for millions of youths who are willing to invest their time and resources to improve the sector. Farming, for example, requires not only farmers but also experts in logistics, processing, market analysis and product development. These opportunities have the potential to create millions of jobs for the countryâs youth.
Another significant reason why Nigerian Youth should embrace Agriculture is that it stimulates innovation and creativity. Agriculture, through the production of goods and services for consumers, is a platform for creativity and innovation. For example, to banks, farmers may not seem like an attractive client base, but innovative solutions like mobile money services can be tailored to farmers to provide access to finance in a way that traditional banking does not permit. With the right mindset, young people can use the agriculture sector to tap into their creativity and ingenuity to create new products and services that will drive the sector forward.
Furthermore, Agriculture helps to address food insecurity in Nigeria. It is no secret that Nigeria is food insecure, with millions of people unable to access adequate and nutritious food. Agriculture can help to close this gap and contribute to Nigeria’s food security by producing enough food for local consumption and even for export. By embracing agriculture, Nigerians can improve agricultural productivity, reduce food waste, and create a better food system for everyone.
Finally, Agriculture presents a significant opportunity for young people to participate in the green economy. The world is moving towards a green economy, which emphasizes sustainability and environmental responsibility. According to the United Nations, agriculture accounts for around 70% of all water withdrawals globally, a clear indication of its importance in creating sustainable communities. In addition, by investing in renewable energy technologies and infrastructure, agriculture can help offset Nigeria’s reliance on fossil fuels, which have been associated with pollution and climate change.
In conclusion, Nigerian Youth must embrace Agriculture as a way to drive economic growth and development, create jobs, stimulate innovation and creativity, enhance food security and contribute to a green economy. The opportunities presented by Agriculture are endless, and now more than ever, many young people are starting to recognize and seize these opportunities. The Nigerian Government has also taken significant steps to promote the sector, with many agricultural incentives aimed at incentivizing young people to invest in and participate in the industry. As a youth entrepreneur in Agriculture, I urge my fellow Nigerian youth to seize this opportunity and play a critical role in transforming the Agricultural sector, and in turn, transforming the country.
