Institute urges youths to tap agric sector opportunies

The Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Simeon Ehui, on Monday, said several opportunities were on the ground for youths to tap into to become employers of labour.

He made this known at the International Youth Day 2024, held at the Conference Hall of the IITA in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Ehui, who was represented by the Coordinator, Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation, IITA, Chrysantus Akem, urged the youths to engage in agriculture as it helps to boost the economy, create jobs and earn income for themselves.

“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.

“There are several opportunities on the ground for them to tap to become employers of labour. The era of using old methods in farming is over as modern agriculture that required training, and digital methods have taken over most sectors of agriculture,” he said.

He assured them of the institute’s readiness to create more awareness to the public on the need to embrace the latest digital ideas.

Also speaking, the Team Lead, ENABLE TAAT Project, IITA Youth in Agriculbusiness Office, Noel Mulinganya, said most of the facilities provided to encourage agriculture were relatively under-utilised, as most young people find agriculture practice unattractive.

He noted that the collaboration with IITA would enhance innovations in the agricultural sector of the country, boost the nation’s economy and ensure food security.

Mulinganya said the initiative was committed to revamping the agricultural sector in the country generally.

“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AALI had put some opportunities in place to train youths on the innovation in agriculture, as the old method of farming is obsolete.”

In her keynote speech, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Psaltry International Limited, Yemisi Iranloye, noted that the traditional view of agriculture as a demanding and low-return occupation has discouraged many youths.

“As youths, you can leverage your position in this digital age to revolutionize agriculture with tools like drones, sensors, software, and greenhouse technology.

“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transform agriculture into an efficient, sustainable, and exciting field, while your engagement can not only challenge outdated views, but also open new opportunities for success and innovation.

“Step into this evolving sector with passion and creativity- your efforts can lead to a brighter, more dynamic future for agriculture.” She added.

The Director of Youth Empowerment, African Agricultural Leadership Institute, a Pan-African Organisation, Dolapo Ogunsola, said the IITA Youths Agribusiness unit was created to train and retrain young adults on the current innovation in agriculture, commending IITA for bringing innovation on agriculture nearer to the people.

In his goodwill message, the Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said the impact of youths in the development of agriculture could not be overemphasised in any country, describing them as the major driving force of the economy.

“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 said.