An agronomist, Mr Sotonye Anga, on Sunday said crops with shorter gestation periods would attract more youths to farming more and boost the economy.
Anga said in Lagos crops like pawpaw, vegetables, banana, plantain cashew and others ensure quick returns because they have short gestation periods.
Anga, who is also the National Publicity Secretary of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), said crops with longer gestation periods discouraged youths from farming.
Anga, who has established a mixed crops farm in Abeokuta, Ogun, said youths were drawn to crops that yield fruits and make profit within the shortest possible time.
“There is need for the Nigerian youth to understand that they do not need billions of naira to start a viable crop plantation.
“Currently, my team and I are trying to help young people by providing them with basic resources so that they can become proud farmers.
“Youths are not so patient, as such, they want to start making profiting as soon as they begin and that is why we have selected hybrid plantain, banana, pawpaw and cashew.
“We do not want the youth to see farming as a fairytale, we want them to know that it is achievable and doable,” he said.
Anga said the gestation periods for the crops in focus were between six months and one year after which the farmer begins to make profit from sales of the produce. (NAN)
