The Federal Government has called on schools across Nigeria to embrace the Young Farmers’ Club initiative to strengthen food security, promote productivity, and encourage youth participation in agriculture.
Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, made this known during a visit to the 1st UBE Primary School, Pasali, Kuje, in commemoration of World Food Day.
He explained that the initiative was created to raise awareness about agriculture as a viable and dignified profession while equipping students with modern farming skills and renewed interest in the sector.
“The programme fosters entrepreneurship, responsibility, and self-reliance through practical training and home farming projects,” Abdullahi said.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive agricultural growth and youth empowerment.
The minister also commended the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for advancing home-based food production through her “Every Home a Garden” campaign.
During his visit, Abdullahi inspected student-led horticultural projects and encouraged pupils to adopt the mantra: “Produce what you eat and eat what you produce.”
He further directed the Ministry’s Horticulture Department to provide technical and material support under the Urban Agriculture programme, emphasising the need for all-year-round farming.
Abdullahi disclosed that the government has begun reviewing the national school curriculum to integrate agriculture at all educational levels.
Also speaking, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, stressed the importance of including animal husbandry in school farming activities to give students a holistic understanding of food production.
“Children shouldn’t think food comes from the supermarket. Someone has to work in the field,” Maiha said.
He added that the government plans to introduce improved grass varieties for livestock feed to complement school farming projects.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Emmanuel Ndubisi appreciated the ministers’ efforts and revealed that pupils have already begun cultivating okra, maize, and groundnuts.
The ministers also visited Government Secondary Schools in Karshi and Karu, where they distributed farm inputs to support ongoing agricultural initiatives.
Source: News Diary
Image Credit: Farmers Voice
