University don calls for attitudinal change towards agriculture
Ibrahim Ayanda, chairman of the Animal Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN), Kwara State chapter, has advised students to change their attitude towards agriculture, urging them to look at agriculture as a business they can venture into so as to generate employment.
Ayanda, gave the advice while delivering his key note address at the 2nd quiz competition organised for secondary school students, held recently at the University of Ilorin, and said that the Association sought to “increase knowledge, educate and convince the students on the employment generation potential of Animal Husbandry enterprises.”
“The long term goal is to stimulate the interest of the youths, capture them young as entrepreneur in Animal husbandry enterprise and replace the old or dead livestock producers,” he said.
However, he lamented that youth employment has reached an epidemic proportion in the country, saying it is currently one of the most serious issues challenging social development.
“Petroleum is no longer a reliable commodity for economic development, Animal Husbandry enterprises such as poultry, piggery, and livestock are some of the ventures with great potential for sustainable youth employment.
There is no other sub-sector of agriculture that has as much potential to curb youth unemployment and jump-start economic development likes livestock,” he noted.
The don then urged the youths to change the negative stereotype about agriculture by not seeing it as an unprofitable, dirty, or a profession meant for the poor, but rather as a profitable venture with very high potential of improving the economy of the country.
He added that if the negative impression can be eradicated and agriculture is taken seriously, livestock sub-sector alone would employ up to 25 percent of the 70 percent work force employed in the agricultural sector.
The Chairman appreciated the University authority for the support given to ASAN, and also for providing the venue for the quiz competition. He also enjoined all the youths and participants to take maximum advantage of the event, as it will help broaden their knowledge of agriculture.
Prizes were later presented to the four best schools out of the nine secondary schools that participated in the quiz competition.
Ayanda presented the first prize to Cornerstone International Secondary School, while Ogunbosoye presented the second prize to Floral College. Muslim Model College and Abdulaziz Attah Memorial College took the third and fourth positions respectively.
Other schools that participated in the quiz competition were Olokuta Secondary School; Government Day Secondary School, Tanke; Government Day Secondary School, Kulende; Senior Secondary School, Danialu and Omowumi Memorial College.
Similarly, Badmus AbdulHameed, also of the University of Ilorin, called on all tiers of government to diversify into animal production to further boost the nation’s economy.
Abdul Hameed who is of the department of animal production made the call in llorin on Monday while speaking with newsmen.
According to AbdulHameed, this would serve as a huge source of revenue for the country and also provide employment opportunities for the unemployed youths.
AbdulHameed urged the Federal Government to involve the middle class and carry them along in its agricultural programmes and policies and suggested that all mature Nigerians should be encouraged to embark on at least a backyard farming or go into poultry to boost food production.
The don called on the government and security operatives and other stockholders to quickly address the problem between the Fulani herdsmen, farmers and their host communities.
SIKIRAT SHEHU