The move to give agriculture a new lease of life got a fillip recently when a sizable number of students as well as senior academic staff of the school of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT), Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) trooped out to sign the banner of the Face of Agriculture with the inscription “I believe in Agriculture, I study and will practice Agriculture asa career, “Agriculture is life,” “Agriculture is what I do”, etc. The programme is the brainchild of Titilayo Femi Kings, a Masters Students in Agricultural Extension and Communication Technology. Aptly tagged “Transforming Face of Agriculture in Africa,” the coordinator says the project is designed to ginger the interest of the youth as well as young children in agriculture. The concept of the banner signing is to get Students motivated, change their wrong perception about Agriculture being a profession for unsophisticated people and make them identify themselves as proud Agriculturists.
The signing of the banner also created awareness for the ‘Face of agriculture’ programme which held at the Hilltop Auditorium. The meeting opened with a Red Carpet Session, which gave Youths and Dignitaries another opportunity to sign the Banner of Face of agriculture. Barrister Bolanle Olafunmiloye, the Chairperson of Ondo State Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), enlightened the youths on the opportunities available to those interested in agricultural businesses. She also outlined processes to be followed in order to access some of the opportunities provided by the state government to empower youth to own their own businesses. Mr. Muyiwa Oladosu talked about the untapped Value chains waiting to be harnessed in Agricultural Business.
There were two plenary sessions where top officials and role models in different fields of Agriculture enlightened the youths on issues relating to Law and Agriculture (lawgronomy),job opportunities, challenges in agriculture and how to start agriculture as a Business. One of the highlights of the event was the showcasing of Pelumi Fagbeja, a 300 level student of Crop Soil and Pest Management who runs a small scale garri processing plant.
Participants in a Communiqué read by Femi-Kings agreed that Agriculture remains the bedrock of any economy and for a nation to thrive, Agriculture must be given priority. They also said structures and incentives should be put in place to ensure that there is always a succeeding generation to take over the practice and profession of agriculture in the country.
