By: Mandy Park
Primary and post primary students in the country have been charged to develop interest in agricultural activities to secure their future and curb the current food insecurity in Nigeria.
The Director, Agribusiness Incubation Centre, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Dr Philips Nto, threw the challenge while receiving the students of Topfaith international schools,,Akwa Ibom state, who visited the centre.
Dr Nto who personally guided the students on the tour of the facility, pointed out the extensive value chain and numerous benefits inherent in the agricultural sector.
He described agriculture as lucrative and assured the students that with mechanised farming, the stereotype associated with food production in the past will be eliminated .
He also described agriculture as a sure means of curbing the recent food insecurity and urged the students to embrace it and make it more attractive.
In their speeches, the students expressed satisfaction with the knowledge gained from the visit and pledged to embrace agriculture.
In his remarks, a teacher in the school, Mr James Ishado, thanked the University for making such opportunities available and lauded the school for bringing the students to the facility.
The visit attracted the presence of the Dean, College of Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology and Extension , Prof Maria Njoku and other staff of the university and Topfaith international schools .