Obasanjo’s ‘Madness’ for Agriculture: Promoting Agribusiness for Food Security and Youth Engagement

Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed his unwavering passion for agriculture, describing himself as a ‘mad man’ for the sector.

During the 9th International Trade Exhibition & Conference on Agrofood, Plastics, Printing, and Packaging in Lagos on Tuesday, Obasanjo highlighted the importance of promoting agribusiness for food security, employment, and wealth creation, among other benefits.

Obasanjo emphasized the need to address the rising insecurity in Nigeria, which he believes is largely fueled by unemployment.

He stressed the significance of encouraging young people to engage in agriculture, as it could help mitigate youth emigration, unemployment, and insecurity.

The former president expressed concern over the tendency of Nigerian youths to gravitate towards the entertainment industry instead of considering opportunities in agriculture.

To tackle food insecurity, Obasanjo called for a focus on food availability, affordability, and accessibility. He highlighted the necessity of maintaining policy consistency to enable farmers to plan for the long-term without the fear of sudden policy changes.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of providing single-digit loans to farmers, as double-digit interest rates could hinder the profitability of agribusinesses.

In his speech, the former president emphasized the role of agriculture in providing employment opportunities for the country’s growing population.

He believes that engaging more youths in agriculture could help reduce the number of people migrating in search of greener pastures and risking their lives in the process.

However, Obasanjo acknowledged the challenge of making agriculture more appealing to young people, who often view the entertainment industry as a more lucrative and glamorous option.

He called for concerted efforts to make the agricultural sector more attractive, as it is a vital component in addressing the various challenges faced by the nation.

The former president’s ‘madness’ for agriculture underscores the importance of promoting agribusiness for food security, employment, and youth engagement.

By focusing on these aspects, Nigeria can potentially mitigate insecurity, unemployment, and poverty, paving the way for a more prosperous future.