The word Agriculture is synonymous to several meaning amidst young people. To some, it is associated with hoe, dirt, extreme risk and low income, while to others; it is a gateway to hardship. Interestingly, Agriculture employs 65 percent of Africa’s labour force and accounts for 32 percent of gross domestic product as stated by World Bank. At this present time, using Nigeria as the case study, when weighing career choices, many young people frown at the mention of Agriculture. It is perceived as old fashion, a career for the poor and middle age. Few young people who are found pursuing in a career in farming are mostly those within the north/north central part of Nigeria. Apart from the fertility of the region, a good percentage of the indigenes are farmers, hence almost every child born and bred around the region has a substantial knowledge about farming.

Many young people in Nigeria today believe in early achievement. However, most at times, an outstanding level of affluence is been attained through dubious means, with little or no hard work. Ironically, such attainment doesn’t stand the test of time because success comes with some iota of dedication and efficiency.

Africa has the second largest continental surface area, The land is fertile. If the continent could invest more in Agriculture, there will be a drastic change in the livelihood of a significant number of people in Africa. According to reports around the continent, Africa is paying the price of low productivity because of limited use of commercial fertilizers by small holder farmers who produce the bulk of the continents food.

However, It is a good thing, the government of Nigeria is gradually stepping in to stimulate the youth’s interest in Agricultural production and processing. The central bank of Nigeria, CBN in collaboration with the federal ministry of Agriculture and rural development, FMARD established the commercial agriculture credit scheme, referred to as CACS for promoting commercial agricultural enterprise in Nigeria. There are also several other government initiatives aimed at providing credit facilities and vocational training to farmers in rural and urban areas in Nigeria. Furthermore, several non-governmental micro enterprise provide soft loans with flexible conditions to farmers/young entrepreneurs who are willing to invest in Agricultural production and general trading in Nigeria.

It is expedient for those who want to start a career in Agriculture to follow laid down rules and guidelines. Such a person can start by attending seminars, visiting farms or by serving as an apprentice on some one’s farm in order to acquire skills on mechanized farming. The challenge is that there had been an influx in the number of youth migrating to the urban areas in Nigeria, thus hindering their involvement in farming which strives better in the rural settlement.

In 2014, young Eherculano Thomas Rice was pleased to have harvested 40 bags of white maize from his eight hectare field in chimoio in Mozambique manica province. Thomas grows cow pea to boost soil fertility in his field and only improves his productivity by applying fertilizer whenever he can afford it.

Twenty four year old Abdu Nsamba from Uganda graduated in 2009 with a degree in social work and social Administration. For two years, he tried to secure a job but he couldn’t. He decided to farm in order to secure food security for his family and later took a career in farming.

He said: “ I can’t believe I wasted two years, farming has opened up so many doors for me as I get to interact with people of different trades. I can meet all my financial needs, I do not have to worry about tomorrow.” Today, he’s a proud owner of several acres of land and he employed 7 other young people.

Source: The FCT Post - http://www.fctpost.com/2015/07/25/why-young-african-enterprenuers-should-invest-in-agriculture/

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Farming is a very good venture.