As part of its activities earmarked for the World Food Day, Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to boosting the agricultural sector, calling on schools to key into the young farmers’ club initiative to enhance productivity, inclusivity and food security.
Speaking during the visit to the 1st UBE Primary School, Pasali kuje in Abuja recently, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi stated that the programme would improve the awareness of agriculture as an economically rewarding and dignified profession, contributing to national development and economic diversification.
Sen. Abdullahi added that the initiative would equip students with modern farming skills, promote food security, and revive interest in agriculture as a viable career.
He stated that it would also foster entrepreneurship, responsibility, and self – reliance through practical training and home farming projects, among others.
Abdullahi recalled that the decision was taken when the Ministry Officials visited Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse as part of the activities to mark the 2024 World Food Day Celebration, pointing out that the First Lady of the Federation, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, CON, promoted the initiative through her “Every Home a Garden Initiative” and the Ministry is ready to support the initiative and advocate for more funding as food security is a key priority of the present administration.
While in the School, the Minister inspected the Horticulture and expressed delight at the performance of the students urging them to “produce what you eat and eat what you produce”, he, therefore, tasked the Horticulture Department of the Ministry to support the programme of the young farmers club in the school.
In his words, “that is why we are here to celebrate and showcase our activities under the Urban Agriculture programme, noting that the essence was to add value to promote all year round farming.
He also revealed that, presently, there is a review of the curriculum for agriculture to support agriculture at various levels.
In his remarks, Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha stated the importance of integrating animal husbandry into school farming prorammes to give children a practical understanding of food sources, ‘’children shouldn’t think food comes from the supermarket, Someone has to work in the field’’.
Maiha revealed plans to provide grass varieties to promote animal feed production and meat supply ‘’livestock is the missing ingredient in school agriculture‘’.
Speaking on behalf of the student, Emmanuel Ndubisi thanked the Minister and the management team for their support and for instituting young farmers club into the school and noting that they have been exposed to the modern farming, cultivation, planting of crops like Okro, Corn, and Groundnut.
Highlight of the event was the sensitization visit to Government Secondary School, Karshi, and Government Secondary School, Karu, and presentation of farm inputs.
In attendance were the representatives of FAO, All Farmers Association, Ministries of Water Resources, Marine and Blue Economy, Actionaid, amongst others.
Signed
Eremah Anthonia (Mrs)
Chief Information Officer
For: Head, Department of Information
16/ 10/ 2025
