IBADAN – The Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Oyo State, Mr Olumide Aina, on Tuesday urged government at all levels to boost agriculture as a viable alternative to crude oil.
Aina, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, explained that crude oil alone was inadequate to sustain the nation’s economy.
“It is a known fact that agriculture remains the only way to improve the economy of this country, because I am yet to see any good thing done with crude oil in Nigeria,” he said.
He listed the Cocoa House, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) building, University College Hospital, University of Ibadan and some other institutions as achievements made through the proceeds of agriculture.
He applauded the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, for introducing series of innovations in agriculture to make it more attractive to the people.
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He, therefore, urged the people to embrace farming as a profession and pay less attention to a resource that could be depleted.
The chairman said that the state branch of AFAN had engaged about 800 youth farmers, who were now cultivating different crops in the state.
“To this end, we have about 800 youth farmers now engaged in different commodities such as catfish, piggery and maize production.
“These youths are graduates who are not interested in white collar jobs,” the chairman said.
He, however, appealed to those already in agricultural businesses to continue, saying they would never regret being farmers.
“Those who are in the oil business will soon join farming because of the falling crude oil price,” he said. (NAN)