BY ROSEMARY NWAEBUNI
“This is the second pickup van in just one day, loaded with baskets of tomatoes and potatoes from my farm. The first van has already left and the third one is still being loaded at my farm, not far away from here’’. This was how Michael Nwaozoma, a young graduate and indigene of Idumu-Ogo community in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State, responded when I sought to know where the pick-up van loaded with tomatoes came from.
On my way to the village penultimate week, I saw a parked vehicle along the Idumu-Ogo road in Aniocha North Local Government area, Delta State, loaded with fresh tomatoes. I stopped by, hoping to purchase some fresh tomatoes for private use. I was both disappointed and amazed at the same time by the response I got from Michael, who was standing beside the vehicle while engaged in conversation with a middle-aged woman.
My disappointment followed the revelation that the baskets of tomatoes in the van had already been bought by the same woman. As a matter of fact, she was waiting for the third vehicle to come out from the farm.
My seeming disappointment soon turned into astonishment when I learnt that the tomatoes were cultivated right there in my locality, not by old farmers but by a young graduate. Michael has a vast farm where he cultivates tomatoes and sweet potatoes, with more than 10 workers on his payroll.
‘’Madam, I will not lie to you, there is money in agriculture. If I can access more capital, I will expand my farm and also diversify into animal husbandry’’, said Michael, who is based in Asaba, the state capital.
My encounter with this young graduate farmer, who is doing so well for himself and his family, informed this article, aimed at encouraging young people to leverage the opportunities offered by government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that support farming to venture into agriculture and agribusiness, rather than waiting for white collar jobs.
Agriculture, also known as farming, is the science, art and practice of cultivating soil to grow crops and raise livestock. Agriculture in Nigeria is a foundational economic sector, encompassing crop production, livestock, fishing and forestry; employing a significant portion of the population, including youths.
The mindset of the average Nigerian youth is that agriculture is for local people in the villages. Many of them perceive agriculture as a poor, outdated profession suited for retirees and uneducated people. This misconception has led many unemployed young people to explore unconventional and illegal means of making money, including ‘’Yahoo Yahoo’’ and other forms of crime.
In reality, however, over time, agriculture in Nigeria has been modernised, mechanised, and digitalised, making it a reputable and respectable pathway to wealth, innovation, and status. The agricultural sector has been made exciting, profitable, and technologically advanced through agribusiness, processing, marketing and agritech – the use of technology to modernise farming processes, reduce manual effort, and provide data-driven insights for better resource management and a more resilient food supply.
Beyond the stereotype, key reasons for the declining interest in agriculture among young people in Nigeria are linked to significant barriers, including the traditional view of agriculture as laborious and unglamorous; restricted access to land; insufficient access to credit facility; lack of access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and technology; limited government backing; lack of adequate training in agribusiness; and poor business infrastructure like storage and related facilities.
The benefits accruable to youths who dare to venture into agriculture and agribusiness are legion. It provides them with gainful employment and enduring livelihood; meaningful career, skills development, and entrepreneurship opportunities; innovation in agritech and rural economic vitalization; as well as contributes to broader economic growth and societal well-being.
Considering the pivotal role of agriculture as a source of employment, economic growth, foreign exchange and revenue generation, poverty and hunger reduction, food security and industrial linkages, both the federal and state governments have continuously committed huge funds to improve the sector.
The federal government, for instance, employs various strategies to improve agriculture, including financial and logistical support programs, policy interventions like import bans and tariffs, investment in rural infrastructure, and initiatives to boost soil health and farm mechanisation.
Federal government programs in the agriculture sector aimed to strengthen food security and diversify the economy, include the Anchor Borrowers’ program (ABP), the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS), Farmers Soil Health Card Scheme (FSHCS), the Green Imperative Program (GIP), and the Dry Season Farming Initiative (DSFI) and the Youth Employment in Agriculture Program (YEAP).
On its part, Delta State Government has been in the business of promoting youth involvement in agriculture and agribusiness across the state through different life changing programs like Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program (YAGEP), the Delta State Communal Farm Program (DSCFP) and many others; aimed at boosting youth engagement and food security through comprehensive training in agricultural disciplines, mentorship, and support for agricultural ventures. At the end of such training, the graduate trainees are equipped to start and grow agribusiness in areas like crop cultivation, poultry and fishing.
Through these programs, the mindset of many youths in Delta State has gradually shifted from a traditional view of agriculture to seeing it as a viable, profitable and innovative business sector. Today in Delta State, a significant number of young people, mostly graduates with support from the state government, are gainfully involved in agribusiness, providing employment for others and contributing to the state’s food basket.
There are numerous benefits young people can derive from their involvement in agriculture, both to themselves and society. These include gainful employment opportunities; entrepreneurship and income generation; skill development, food security, innovation and technology adaptation; financial support and incentives from government and NGOs; and networking and collaboration.
By actively participating in agriculture, Nigerian youths can harness these benefits to improve their lives, contribute to their families and communities, and play a significant role in the nation’s economy.
While willingness, zeal, resilience and commitment are required from the youths, government should step up its efforts by creating the enabling environment for increased youth participation in agriculture, especially in the areas of accessibility to land, subsidized agricultural inputs, access to soft loans and financial grants, providing accessible training in modern farming practices and technology, offering financial assistance through grants and loans, supporting the development of infrastructure and markets, and facilitating the construction of rural roads for easy evacuation of farm produce.
