Senator Saliu Mustapha highlights the importance of Agriculture and urges Federal Government to make it compulsory at secondary school level.
During the public lecture at Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ilorin , Senator Mustapha, represented by Professor Binta Sulyman of Kwara State University emphasized the importance of agriculture and its role in the society.
He stated that agriculture have helped the society in tackling food insecurity and creating an avenue for an affordable food for the people. He highlighted the fact that people perceive agriculture as an unrewarding profession.
Senator Mustapha stated, “We need to get serious about agriculture if we are to feed our growing population and reduce our over-reliance on imports.”
He shared his hope on how he would like the students to change that particular narrative by being exposed to modern farming methods. These farming methods are less stressful than the traditional methods.
He argued that a practical agricultural education from childhood would help the future generations view farming as a lucrative business and profession.
He added, “Countries like Israel and India have demonstrated how a strong emphasis on agricultural education can transform food production. Nigeria must follow suit by ensuring that every child learns not only the theory of farming but the practical aspects as well.”
According to him, agriculture can be used to eradicate unemployment in the society. He made an instance with agribusiness which provides a path to attain economic empowerment.
He added, “Beyond feeding ourselves, we must see agriculture as a business. Agriculture should not just be about producing food for the table, but it should be viewed as a business model that can generate wealth for millions of Nigerians.”
Senator Mustapha further called on the stakeholders in agriculture, education and policymaking sectors to work together to ensure the practical agricultural education is carried out in various schools.
He encouraged the Federal Ministry of Education to take actions beyond curriculum revision and ensure that schools have infrastructures like farms to facilitate in learning experience.