The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says the best way to attract youths to agriculture is for African governments to evolve fiscal policies that will allow them access to finance. Mr Bukar Tijani, FAO’s Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative for Africa, expressed this opinion during an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Tunis.
Tijani spoke to NAN on the sideline of the ongoing 28th African Regional Conference of the FAO, and urged African youths to take advantage of the positive development being recorded in the agriculture sector.
Speaking further, he said: “We have some of the best economies which are agriculture-driven not just mineral driven; so it is really time for the youths to look at what and what we have. It is not the governments in Nigeria or other governments in Africa that will employ the youths directly. It is the jobs that will be available in the agriculture sector. When we are talking about agriculture, it includes the crops sector – horticulture, livestock, fishery (aquaculture) and forest products.’’
The immediate past Minister of State for Agriculture noted that in Nigeria and many other African countries, commercial banks were now willing to give loans to farmers at single digit interest rate as well as demanding minimum or no collaterals. He noted that government had removed tariffs and other excise payments on agricultural equipment to encourage farmers and other people engaged in agri-business. According to him, the participation of 51 out of 54 African countries with the attendance of 47 ministers is an indication of the commitment of leaders to harness the abundant potential in the sector.
“We have a lot of concerns because the agriculture sector holds a lot for our economies.’’
He pointed out that agriculture contributes about 40 per cent of the GDP in many African countries, noting that opportunities abound in horticulture, cassava and rice production.
Others are fruits and vegetables markets as well as the value chains in small ruminants, poultry, and all products of poultry and dairy production. The FAO assistant director-general underscored the fact that ICT could be deployed in the agriculture sector for many uses.
“When we talk about ICT in agriculture, people are looking at information, research, and market price kiosks and where best prices are and best technologies they can use.
“In Nigeria, we think there is an excellent opportunity and a big trend where youths can form business groups and they can be service-oriented in terms of giving service for mechanization, seed, fertilizer, extension services, among others.’’ He advised youths clamouring for government jobs to have a re-think.
“When you look at the public or civil service, you will find that it is choked but our youths are thinking that they will go into government and work. The work is not in the government, it is outside the government.’’ Tijani commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, for the achievements so far recorded in agriculture.
“Nigeria has been mentioned very loudly in the sense that it is among one of the countries that is leading and has one of the fastest growth in aquaculture. It is also among the countries that are very focused on the employment of youths in terms of entrepreneurship/agribusiness. Nigeria is being looked at as a country where lessons can be learnt by so many other countries.
“Nigeria stands out to be among the topmost fastest growing economies in the world and it has sustained over six per cent growth in the past years. So, what we are really looking at is to have a platform for our youths to come into agriculture.’’ He advised African leaders to increase their budgets to the sector. “Farmers should be encouraged to produce; process and add value.’’
