FG to attract 750,000 youths into agriculture

The Federal Government plans to attract 750,000 youths into agriculture to create jobs and ensure food security, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has said.

The government also named hip hop star Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj an ambassador of Nigeria Agricultural Entrepreneur (NAGROPRENEUR).
The minister, who spoke in Abuja when D’banj visited him at the ministry’s headquarters, lamented the decline in farming.
He said: “Most of our farmers are old, the average age of 60 years, which means that in the next 10 years, who will feed Nigeria. Therefore we need to get the young ones into agriculture as a business.”
The programme, which will start this year, will encompass young school leavers and graduates.
The minister also revealed that the government would provide access to land, mechanised equipment and access to finance for the youths.
Speaking on private sector involvement in agriculture, Dr. Adesina said in the last 18 months, the Federal Government had attracted $4 billion private sector investment in agriculture.
D’banj thanked the minster for the appointment.
He urged youths to embrace agriculture as a business.
He assured the minister that he would use his platform to carry the Agriculture as a Business campaign to the grass roots.

Source : nigerianeye.com