Mr Muntari Dandutse, Lawmaker representing Funtua and Dandume Federal Constituency of Katsina State, has called on youths to key into agriculture for self-sufficiency.
Dandutse, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, made the call while fielding questions from newsmen, shortly after inaugurating the 2nd National Maize Pyramid in Kaduna, on Friday.
He noted that agriculture provided job opportunities; hence more attention should be given to the sector to boost food security and create employment for youths.
“The unemployed youths should join agriculture because there is a different value chain which is supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for them to be self-employed and develop,” he said.
The lawmaker also called on the media to publicise government policies and programmes to small scale farmers across the country to utilise opportunities in the agriculture sector.
He commended the CBN, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), and urged them to remain focused on enhancing food security in the country.
According to Dandutse, every part of the world is being developed based on agricultural revolution that will bring about industrial growth.
“The CBN backing and enabling environment will ensure that there is value for all the produce. Such backing will also ensure that produce is safe, foreign reserve is safe, as well as all the opportunities that are slipping away from Nigeria.
“We have no any other country. Nigeria is blessed; we have all the basic raw materials needed for development.
“We have six geo-political zones in Nigeria, we can embark on a system of agriculture development like that of Germany, and become one of the most leading economies,’’ he said.
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Dandutse expressed optimism that if governments at all levels should support the youths, it would enhance and sustain the progress of the country.
