By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe
An agribusiness advocate, Mrs. Zulaihatu Labilwa Madugu, has urged governments at all levels to invest heavily in youth participation in agriculture through the provision of farmland, affordable farm inputs and modern agricultural training.
Speaking with our correspondent in Gombe, Zulaihatu described agriculture as a demanding but rewarding profession capable of reducing unemployment, poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria.
She said many Nigerian youths were interested in farming but lacked the necessary support to venture into the sector successfully.
According to her, limited access to farmland, fertilizers, improved seeds and other farming inputs has continued to discourage young people from embracing agriculture despite its huge economic potential.
“Farming may be stressful, but it is a dignified and honest means of livelihood. If governments provide youths with land, fertilizers, improved seeds and other farm inputs at affordable rates, many of them will willingly engage in agriculture,” she said.
Zulaihatu noted that involving more youths in farming would not only boost food production but also help tackle the growing rate of unemployment and youth-related social problems across the country.
She stressed that support for farmers should go beyond cultivation alone, pointing out that many young farmers suffer losses because they lack knowledge of food processing, packaging and marketing.
The agribusiness advocate explained that proper branding and packaging of agricultural produce would increase market value and enable local farmers to compete favourably in both local and international markets.
She further called for the establishment of agricultural training centres where youths could acquire practical skills in modern farming methods, agribusiness management and food processing.
Zulaihatu also appealed to financial institutions and intervention agencies to provide soft loans and grants to young farmers to help them expand their businesses and become self-reliant.
She encouraged Nigerian youths to see agriculture as a profitable venture capable of transforming their future rather than depending solely on white-collar jobs.
According to her, with adequate government support, access to markets and proper training, agriculture could become a major driver of economic growth and sustainable development in Nigeria.
