Senator Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development has called on the federal government to introduce compulsory, hands-on agricultural studies at the secondary school level.
He made the call at a public lecture organised by the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ilorin.
In his keynote address, delivered by Prof. Binta Sulyman of Kwara State University, Malete, Senator Mustapha stressed the need to move beyond mere discussions and policy statements on agriculture.
He argued that providing practical agricultural education from an early age would prepare the next generation to view farming as a viable profession rather than a subsistence activity.
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“We must take agriculture seriously if we are to feed our growing population and reduce our dependency on imports.
“Introducing agriculture as a compulsory and practical subject in secondary schools is a critical step towards achieving that goal,” he said.
Senator Mustapha expressed concern over the declining interest in agriculture among young Nigerians, attributing it to outdated perceptions of farming as labour-intensive and unprofitable.
He emphasised that exposure to modern, technology-driven agricultural practices-such as mechanised farming, agribusiness, and sustainable methods-could reignite interest in the sector.
The senator said making agricultural studies compulsory would also help tackle rising unemployment by equipping young people with the skills needed to enter farming, agribusiness, and related industries.
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