A farmer in Gombe, Usman Umar-Yari, has advised civil servants in the state to invest in agriculture ahead of their retirement.
Umar-Yari, a traditional title holder in Akko Emirate, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, gave the advice in an interview on Monday in Gombe.
He urged civil servants in the state and those seeking white collar jobs to embrace agriculture because it guaranteed returns on investment.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari’s agriculture-driven initiatives have made it imperative for everyone to go into agriculture.
Yari observed that many civil servants often found it difficult to sustain their families after retirement, saying that agriculture was the only solution to overcoming such difficulties.
“Agriculture has better returns in terms of investment than any sector in Nigeria. A farmer cannot lack food and cash if he or she invests.
“I strongly support the agricultural policies of this administration because it has impacted positively on the economy of the rural areas, which in a way has reduced poverty and migration to urban centres.
“This administration is working towards food security while creating thousands of jobs in rural areas.
“Fertiliser and other improved seedlings have been made available by the Federal Government and this has made farming easier.
“With these opportunities, I think civil servants should invest in agriculture and make it their pension instead of waiting for government pension after retirement which takes time.
“I have observed that most civil servants, who failed to invest in agriculture, face certain financial difficulties before their pension comes. The only solution is to invest in agriculture before retirement,’’ he said.
Yari said that the start-up capital for any agricultural investment was not very high when compared to other sectors.
“The start-up capital for any investment in agriculture is not as expensive when compared to other sectors. With N20, 000 one could start something and get better harvest.
“I started my guinea corn farm with little capital but today I grow several other crops. I cater for my family with the income I get from farming.
“As far as President Buhari’s administration is concerned, farmers are the rich men in town,’’ he said.
The farmer advised young people not to wait for white collar jobs, saying huge opportunities are available in agriculture that could in turn guarantee their financial sufficiency. (NAN)
