‘Agriculture, a veritable panacea for youth unemployment’

A cleric, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Akanfe has said that agriculture remained the only veritable alternative for engaging youths productively, especially at the grassroots.

Akanfe who made the observation in Ore, urged government at all levels to introduce mechanized farming to attract youths into the sector.

He said embarking on such venture would boost governments efforts toward diversifying the state and the country’s economy from oil to agric based.

According to him, government has been paying lip service towards fully transforming agriculture to attract the youths both as a career and vocation.

“A situation where farmers could not boast of a tractor to develop agriculture at the grassroots is not good. This does not show the commitment of government in that regard.

Akanfe, who is the Chief Imam of Islaudeen Central Mosque, Ore called on the newly elected leaders in the state to channel adequate resources towards making farming attractive to the youths.

He however advised governments at all tiers to increase funding for agriculture, adding that over- dependence on oil could not achieve the desired socio-economic development for the country.

He stressed that such intervention would enhance the nation’s growth and economic diversification.

According to him, youths as leaders of tomorrow have formidable roles to play in the government’s efforts at diversifying the economy.

He said transforming agriculture requires collective responsibility of all stakeholders to achieve the desired results.

He further stressed the need for re-ordering of priorities by the federal, state and local governments to adequately tackle the nation’s food insufficiency.

He said the problem was compounded as most youths empowerment initiatives were concentrated on distribution of motorcycles and grinding machines with less regard for agriculture at the grassroots.

“The Agric villages across the state especially in Ore should be put to proper use by engaging the youths, it will reduce crimes”, Akanfe stressed.