News in Brief:
– The Nigerian government promotes school-based young farmers’ clubs to enhance agricultural education and food security.
– This initiative aims to equip students with practical skills and knowledge in agriculture, thereby contributing to a sustainable food system.
Nigeria’s Federal Government is encouraging schools to establish young farmers’ clubs to boost agricultural productivity and ensure food security.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, revealed this during a meeting with a delegation from the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Dutse Makaranta, in Abuja.
FG ADVOCATES YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB TO ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY AND FOOD SECURITY
The Federal Government has called on schools to key into the initiative of young farmers club to enhance productivity, inclusivity, and food security in the country.
The Minister of State for… pic.twitter.com/3nzhxs4EhH
— Nig Federal Ministry of Agriculture &Food Security (@NGfmafs) October 31, 2024
The senator emphasised the importance of practical agricultural experience in his statement. He stated that the clubs would foster a deeper understanding of farming practices, including poultry, fish farming, vegetable gardening, and livestock rearing.
He added that with the government stepping up production and other efforts to ensure that food is accessible and affordable to Nigerians, schools can even begin to eat what they produce.
Partnership with the First Lady’s initiative
There is also a direct alignment of this initiative with the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Every Home a Garden programme, which encourages women to cultivate home gardens.
Meantime, the federal agriculture ministry, through the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), plans to adopt GGSS Dutse under its Adopted School Programme. The ministry has pledged to support the initiative and advocate for increased funding to prioritize food security.
Subsequently, Fatima Mohammad, Principal of GGSS Dutse Makaranta, expressed gratitude for the government’s recognition and highlighted the school’s commitment to agriculture.
Additionally, she revealed that the school has already established a Trade and Entrepreneurship Department, making agriculture mandatory for all staff.
Empowering students through practical agricultural education
School farming has been a major part of the academic curriculum in Nigeria from the 1960s to the early 1990s. However, many school farms are now lacking in tools, equipment, and other resources.
The idea is to offer a comprehensive approach to education, empowering students with practical skills and knowledge.
Students can gain a deep understanding of crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and the entire food production process by engaging in agricultural activities. This hands-on experience not only equips them with practical skills but also fosters a sense of responsibility and environmental awareness.
