Now that crude oil has started to lose footing and relevance within the global energy need chain, it is time to fall back on agriculture as a strong source of revenue for the government purse. But it is disappointing that many youths equate agriculture with just mere farming, and so don’t see very strong reasons to tap into the agriculture value chain to help roll productivity and wealth generation in the country. So, there is need for strong government advocacy to encourage young people to go into agriculture, push agriculture as business, not just hoe-and cutlass farming affair as well as offering credit support to those in the agriculture sector, including farmers . Effort should be made to make the CBN backed NIRSAL loan work for the ordinary farmers. There is need to relax access to this loan. Next comes the need for advocacy over climate change and its adverse effects on food security and environmental degradation are rising, causing brutal clash over water and grazing resources. The situation in the Lake Chad region where the lake has shrunk to one sixths of its size calls for serious concerns. It is dangerously causing regular clashes in rural farming communities in the Benue valley and other areas.
And to think more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population live in rural areas and practice subsistence agriculture. The majority of people are highly dependent on the country’s forests and rivers for their food security and to meet basic needs. The agriculture sector has always been the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and successful partnership programmes were needed in addressing impediments in growth and Cotton. These cash crops were ones of the first means for people to make their own revenue and take part in the local economy. Then the food security aspect is also there as well as export opportunity to earn Strengthening agriculture can produce positive ripple effects in a country’s economy. Investments in agricultural development can help at reducing unemployment and poverty. Agriculture has been at the centre of recent economic progress for many developing nations. Most governments are taking concrete action to address the problems and there is a clear recognition of strengthening agriculture and food systems in a manner that brings more affordable, healthier and diverse food options within everyone’s reach.
Revenue from agriculture could cater for the increasing expenditure the Government had to take care of given the increasing population over the years. And so, in the coming years, there will be a growing need for farmers, horticulturists, agronomists and other related careers where many people can settle. Analysts have repeatedly said one of the common misconceptions about why students did not take up studies in the agricultural field was that it was only limited to farming and animal husbandry. What many do not realise is that agriculture provides a wide range of career opportunities for students so studying agriculture could also be a way for many to find success.
The one advantage we have, is that Nigeria is an agricultural nation. And while we know agriculture based on knowledge passed on from our fathers, we should now adapt to the changing practice in the world. At the same time, concerns over climate change and its adverse effects on food security and environmental degradation should be speedily attended to. For instance, extreme weather changes, such as heat waves and water scarcity, arc negatively affecting crop production. The United Nations warned that climate change is driving global hunger. The trend is changing. The trend is growing. Support for the agriculture sector is increasing. Attitudes toward agriculture arc already changing, but not fast enough. Young people should be made to see reasons as to why they should embrace agriculture as business. And they should be encouraged and supported.