By Samuel ADEYINKA
The Federal Government has launched Young Farmers Club aimed at engaging Secondary School pupils in Mechanized Farming to ensure food Security in the Country.
During the inauguration at the Federal Science and Technology College,Orozo, Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Mahmood Abubakar said the Pilot project would added to existing initiative put together by the federal government to diversify nation’s Economy.
Represented by the Director of Mechanisation in the Ministry, Mr Abdulahi Abubakar expressed optimism that the Young Farmer Club in Schools would encourage younger generation to embrace farming.
” We want to see that the Youth embrace agriculture. We have realized over the years, that Agriculture is being seen from the old thought but we can’t live them, one day, they will leave us. Particularly, Mr President has said we should grow what we eat and eat what we grow. The Minister said.
The National President, Youth Farmers Development Initiative, Comrade Chilota Onyeka said the establishment of Farmers Club became necessary for the Youth to be equipped with relevant skills on Agriculture at the early age.
A Consulting Partner for the project,Prof Agnes Onyeagba said the project would help the Youths to channel their Energy on good ventures against criminality.
“Young people have more energy, they are suppose to work all the times. If you don’t give them something to work on or play, they look for where to expend that Energy, they can control it. Prof Onyeagba explained.
President of the newly inaugurated Farmers Club, Amuda Lawal promised to contribute his quota towards making Nigeria, a food hub in Africa.
The Project, through collaboration among relevant Stakeholders, will provide opportunity for Nigerian School Farmers to travel to Israel to acquired more knowledge on Modern farming.