FACE OF AGRICULTURE: Agriculturist and Proud

Agriculture is as old as man. Did the caveman not practice farming with crude implements before he even discovered fire? And so it was even with the advent of civilization. Well, up until recently. But it is no longer news that the agricultural sector has been suffering seriously from lack of attention and those in the sector have always been subjected to ridicule, looked down upon. Perhaps that's because people no longer consider anything relating to agriculture with respect or see it as a profession that is worth pursuing or a course worthy of being studied. And when they eventually do, it is usually as a last option.

But once upon a time, agriculture was the mainstay of our economy. And was it not during that period that Nigeria made the most effective developments even at the grassroots level? Remember the pyramids of groundnut that were exported from the Northern part of Nigeria? What happened to the hectares of land reserved for the cultivation of rubber, palm oil in the South? How about the the textile factory in Kaduna used for spinning, dressing cotton cultivated in the North? Let's not forget the cocoa house in Ibadan that managed cocoa exportation in large masses and took care of the cocoa farmers. Do any of these plantations or factories still function?

 The talk on everybody's lips is about oil money. We should keep in mind that this so-much-attention-
paid-to oil is a natural resource that would dry up one day, especially with the rate at which it is being exploited. And when that day comes, where would we all fall back to? The same old, abandoned agriculture. The popular saying: "the rejected stone that became the cornerstone" would be brought to mind.

But before that day comes, would we allow others to ignorantly condemn something as professional and practical as our beloved agriculture? NO! Right measures need to be taken. We embark on an all round awareness program to educate people on agriculture. We aim to change their distorted perception of agriculture. We hope to make them see agriculture from a different, newer and clearer perspective as an environmentally friendly and providing employment for the educated and uneducated populace profession. How saddening is it then that people with little or no knowledge of the countless benefits of agriculture continue to pollute the minds of others who might be willing to venture into the field?

Agriculture is a very diverse profession with so many areas to delve into. How many people know this? Ranging from being an extension worker who provides essential information about the weather and improved agricultural practices to farmers, to being a food scientist; caring about what we put in our stomachs all in a bid to help us preserve good health and prolong life.Those who are experts on ecotourism and wildlife management, those who manage animals; caring for them and carrying out advanced breeding practices to increase the herds and maximize their by-products. How about the agricultural economists that take care of the financial aspect and compile data? The list is endless. And all these are just surface information of what people who major in agriculture are capable of doing. In depth knowledge shows that agriculture touches all spheres of life.

The first thing to be done is to restore the confidence of those studying and practicing agriculture. By doing this, they'll be able to supply information about the benefits of agriculture to anyone who has warped views about it either as a course or profession and hopefully change their perceptions of it. Personally I choose to believe that agriculture is the future of this nation, sentiments aside. Virtually all agricultural practices are eco-friendly which means there'll be lesser harmful gases going into the atmosphere depleting the ozone layer further.

Agriculture doesn't have to be practiced on a large scale with mechanized implements before it can be considered worth undertaking. Subsistence agriculture is also rewarding. A garden at the back of your house would provide you with fresh vegetables for healthy diet whilst giving you something to occupy your spare time-a hobby, if you will. Having something to tend to, nurture or take care has been found to be very therapeutic. Setting up a poultry or pond would not only generate money, it would also supply proteins in your meals. Agriculture simply provides self-employment irrespective of level of education.

Farming on large scale not only generates foreign revenue for the government, it also creates employment for a lot of people while still putting food on their tables. That's triple-edged advantage.  We have been fortunate to be blessed with hectares upon hectares of lush fields just waiting to be cultivated on! We have a farming-friendly weather, with no extremities. Revenue generated from the exportation of cash crops can be used to better the lives of the citizens of the country thereby making bad roads, poorly equipped and dysfunctional hospitals and schools, massive unemployment things of the past. Agriculture can potentially secure all these and more, but collective steps have to be taken to trap the looming monsters-corruption and moral degradation that have eaten deep into the society. With agriculture, we can turn a desert into an oasis. So, why not make everyone aware of these endless benefits abound in practicing agriculture?

Face of Agriculture is aiming to change the average Nigerian youth's perception of agriculture with the theme: "Poverty or Prosperity?" There will be lectures, rallies as well as other side attractions. It is scheduled to hold at the Hilltop Auditorium on the 1st of October which is coincidentally Independence Day. We set Agriculture free from distorted perceptions that day.

Operation independence for agriculture.

Operation restore the lost glory of agriculture.

Operation change the perception others have of agriculture.

Operation make agriculture the mainstay of the economy.

Operation make everyone involved in agriculture.

The future is fresh and green, the future is Agriculture. Embrace the change. Embrace Agriculture.

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