Nigerian youths have been urged to get involved in agriculture as a measure towards attaining food security.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, gave this advise while receiving the Director General and National Coordinator of Nigerian Young Farmers Network in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the Minister, the Federal Government is making efforts to boost the green sector through mechanization and would be a good source of livelihood to youths, food security and economic growth.
Speaking further, the Minister said boosting agriculture through the application of science and technology is the way forward.
He said: “Many aspects of farming is dependent on Science and Technology: from selection of seeds that are high yielding to drought and pest resistant seeds.”
The Minister lamented the huge losses incurred by farmers at post harvest stages while assuring of government’s support to farmers in their plights.
In his advise to the Nigerian Young Farmers, Onu admonished them to adopt team spirit as the ministry is leaving no stone unturned in taking the country to a level of guaranteed food security.
Onu advised the Nigerian Young Farmers Network to continue working as a team so as to achieve the objectives of their association.
The Director General and National Coordinator of Nigeria Young Farmers Network, Mr. Promise Amahah, in his earlier remarks, had disclosed that the network was seeking a working relationship with the Ministry to positively reposition agriculture in the country.
Recall that several efforts have been made by the government towards making agriculture return to its mainstay as Nigeria’s big earner away from dependence on oil.
