Oyetola urges youth to embrace agriculture

Gboyega Oyetola, governor of Osun state, has called on youth across the country to engage in agricultural activities rather than investing their time in cyber-crime.

The governor said this during a facility tour of Bob Jones Farm Limited at Obadimu community, Orolu local government area of the state, on Monday.

He said his administration is committed to revamping the agricultural sector in the state through private partnership.

Oyetola said the sector “remains the sustainable means of advancing the nation’s economy.”

“Agriculture is essential and it pays. This is the way to go if we are serious and genuine in the quest to stimulate our economy,” he said.

“Agriculture is a lucrative business, unlike before, when subsistence farming was the order of the day. Now, agriculture had gone beyond that, as mechanised and digital farming have become the order of the day.

“As a government, we have been working assiduously to breathe a new life into agriculture sector, and make it the most vibrant and profitable means of stimulating and advancing the economy of the state. Our government is open to private sector, individuals and corporate organisations who share the same ideologies with us to reposition the sector for the good of all.

“We are bringing in a revitalisation template that will help to support the needs of our farmers, and as well attract the young ones into farming. The present economic realities have called for the need for everyone to develop interest in agriculture, as the sector remains the sustainable means of advancing the nation’s economy.

“So, I urge our youths to show interest in agriculture and shun illegal means of getting rich. There is no gain in cyber-crime, there is no future in illegitimate means of survival, youths must desist from these acts, and embrace agriculture for survival.

“Agriculture is lucrative, productive and profitable if we all decide to invest in it. Let’s go back to the farm to make our state to be sufficient in food productions and as well have much to export,” he said.

In his remark, Bisi Adegoke, the owner of the farm, said his decision to invest in the agriculture is aimed at empowering the people, particularly the young ones.