Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have encouraged youths in the country to engage in agriculture, saying it helps to boost the economy, create jobs and earn income for themselves.
The stakeholders were speaking at the International Youth Day 2024, held at the Conference Hall of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Ibadan on Monday.
The Director General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Dr Simeon Ehui, represented by Coordinator, Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation, IITA, Dr Chrysantus Akem, told the youths that several opportunities are on ground for them to tap to become employers of labour.
He said that the era of using old methods in farming are over as, modern agriculture that required training, and digital methods have taken over most sectors of agriculture.
Ehui, who was represented by the Coordinator for African Agriculturists Transformation, Dr Chris Akhem, assured the youths of the IITA readiness to create more awareness to the public on the need to embrace the latest digital ideas.
Noel Mulinganya, Team Lead, ENABLE TAAT Project, IITA Youth in Agriculbusiness Office, said that most of the facilities provided to encourage agriculture were relatively under-utilised, as most young people find agriculture practice unattractive.
He noted that the collaboration with IITA would enhance innovations in the agricultural sector of the country, boost the nation’s economy and ensure food security.
He said that youths are being engaged and equipped to make them self-employed farmers after each training, assuring that the initiative was committed to revamping the agricultural sector in the country in general.
Mulinganya said that IITA in collaboration with ALLI had put some opportunities in place to train youths on the innovation in agriculture, asserting that the old method of farming was obsolete.
He described agriculture as an essential sector, which plays a vital role in the development of the country, noting, “this is the way to go if we are serious and genuine in the quest to stimulate our economy.”
Mrs Yemisi Iranloye, the Managing Director/CEO Psaltey International Limited, in her keynote speech, noted that the traditional view of agriculture as a demanding and low- return occupation has discouraged many youths.
However, this perception, according to her is changing with the rise of technological innovations and increased awareness.
“As youths, you can leverage your position in this digital age to revolutionise agriculture with tools like drones, sensors, software, and greenhouse technology.
“Embrace these advancements to transform agriculture into an efficient, sustainable, and exciting field, while your engagement can not only challenge outdated views, but also open new opportunities for success and innovation.
“Step into this evolving sector with passion and creativity-your efforts can lead to a brighter, more dynamic future for agriculture, “she said, while highlighting several digital pathways to success in agribusiness.
Dolapo Ogunsola, Director of Youth Empowerment, African Agricultural Leadership Institute, a Pan-African Organisation, said that the IITA Youths Agribusiness unit, was created to train and retrain young adults on the current innovation in agriculture, commending IITA for bringing the innovation on agriculture nearer to the people.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said that impact of youths in the development of agriculture cannot be over emphasised in any country, describing them as the major driving force of the economy.
“With the daily geometrical increase in population, we cannot afford to depend on the aging farmers and crude way of cultivation, but to key into mechanised farming that are making use of digital technologies.
“Most developed nations have adopted the use of drones, robots and the likes in carrying out most farming operations such as planting, herbicide applications in the face of surging population to feed.
