The Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Simeon Ehui, highlighted the numerous opportunities available for young people to explore in order to become employers of labour.
According to The PUNCH, Ehui made this disclosure at the International Youth Day 2024 event held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at the IITA Conference Hall.
Represented by Chrysantus Akem, the Coordinator of Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation at IITA, Ehui emphasized the potential of agriculture to strengthen the economy, create job opportunities, and generate income for the youth.
Ehui stated, “We are encouraging the youths in the country to engage in agriculture. It helps to boost the economy, create jobs and earn income for themselves.”
He stressed that modern agriculture, which now relies on training and digital methods, has replaced outdated farming techniques, and assured that the institute is committed to raising public awareness about embracing the latest digital innovations.
The Team Lead for the ENABLE TAAT Project at IITA Youth in Agribusiness Office, Noel Mulinganya, also spoke at the event.
He expressed concern that many of the facilities provided to support agricultural engagement remain under-utilized due to the perception that agriculture is not an attractive career choice for young people.
Mulinganya believed that the partnership with IITA can drive innovation within Nigeria’s agricultural sector, thereby boosting the economy and ensuring food security.
“IITA in collaboration with AALI had put some opportunities in place to train youths on the innovation in agriculture, as the old method of farming is obsolete,” Mulinganya remarked.
In her keynote address, the Managing Director and CEO of Psaltry International Limited, Yemisi Iranloye, addressed the outdated perceptions of agriculture, which have led many young people to dismiss it as a low-reward and labor-intensive industry.
She encouraged the youth to harness the power of digital tools such as drones, sensors, software, and greenhouse technology to modernize and transform the agricultural sector.
“As youths, you can leverage your position in this digital age to revolutionize agriculture with tools like drones, sensors, software, and greenhouse technology,” Iranloye said.
“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transform agriculture into an efficient, sustainable, and exciting field, while your engagement can not only challenge outdated views, but also open new opportunities for success and innovation,” she added.
The Director of Youth Empowerment at the African Agricultural Leadership Institute, Dolapo Ogunsola, commended IITA’s efforts in bringing agricultural innovation closer to the people.
She noted that the IITA Youths Agribusiness unit was established to continually educate young adults on the latest advancements in agriculture.
In his goodwill message, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, underscored the importance of youth involvement in agricultural development.
He highlighted the necessity of moving away from traditional farming methods, especially in the face of a rapidly growing population, and adopting mechanized farming techniques that incorporate digital technologies.
“With the daily geometrical increase in population, we cannot afford to depend on the ageing farmers and crude way of cultivation, but to key into mechanised farming that is 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,” Olaleye remarked.
