Agric Dev: Expert Urges Science, Technology Application

The President of Nigeria
Internet Group, Mr Bayo Banjo, last Thursday in Lagos called for determined application of science and technology in agriculture to help attract youths to it.
He made the call in an interview with newsmen, adding that the move would not only provide employment to the teeming youth but would boost food production in the country.
He said “science and technology hold the key to the progress we want to see in this country
“We need to do more to build academic collaborations and to focus our minds on Nigeria’s distinctive agricultural challenges.’’
Banjo stressed the need for better use of information technology in the agriculture sector.
He added that “farming in Nigeria is viewed as exhausting, back-breaking, unreformed and with little reward. It holds little attraction to the younger generation.’’
He, however, noted that government could evolve policies, especially in rural areas, to make agriculture attractive to the younger generation.
“But such policies must ensure that the rural areas are habitable because the sector needs grassroots energy and openness to new ideas.
“If government can provide adequate public schools, electricity, good roads and healthcare facilities, more youths will be attracted to agriculture.’’
To achieve this, the internet group president said, there was need for political will and leadership at every level to confront the challenges in agriculture.
“The machinery of government has to be harnessed to deliver the changes we want to see.