By Felix Kassim
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Nigeria Young Farmers Network (NYFN) says it has put in place a mechanism to revolutionise farming by equipping millions of youths with relevant knowledge to effectively operate in the nation’s agriculture sector.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja ahead of its 1st October, 2020, national rally, Director General/National Coordinator of NYFN, Promise Amahah, said young Nigerians have the capacity to tackle the nation’s economic problems by leveraging on the massive potentials in agriculture’s value chain.
He said: “As Nigeria’s 60th years of independence approaches, the Nigeria Young Farmers Network has planned a massive rally in commemoration of the big day.
“Our planned rally theme is 60years Later. Yes We Can! It is an opportunity to make a bold system that young Nigerians are capable of addressing our most pressing challenges especially through agriculture.
“The Nigeria youth is key in unlocking the potential of agriculture and creating wealth for the nation. The objective of the rally is to x-ray how far we have come as a nation through agriculture, mobilise young people to affirm that ‘Yes We Can’ fix the agricultural sector and mobilise all stakeholders to get involved in the process of repositioning the sector to create jobs and wealth.
“Our rally plans to create the much needed awareness and public enlightenment on the need to rebrand, reposition and revamp our agricultural sector.
“With unemployment rising at an alarming rate of 2.7per cent, growing insecurity and hunger, rising debt profile and capital flight, it is a matter of urgency to plug in the youth fully in reversing the ugly trend.”
Amahah said involvement in agriculture also goes beyond owning a farm land, as youths can effectively exploit its economic potentials like selling of produce, deployment of farming technological tools, providing relevant information, among others.
“For a farmer to be successful, he needs someone that has access to the market,” Amahah posited, even as he lamented the 60per cent post-harvest losses in the country.
Also speaking, NYFN’s Executive Director, Impact Investment and Business Development, Hauwa Bako Muhammed, said youths’ engagement in agriculture remain the best bet to ensure food security in the country.
While saying Nigeria with its youthful population, has the potential to feed the whole Africa continent, Hauwa said robust engagement of young Nigerians will also boost the level of nutrition and address the major needs of the society.
