Food Security: Senate Panel Urges FG to Make Agricultural Studies Mandatory in Schools

• The Senate Committee on Agriculture urged the federal government to make hands-on agricultural studies compulsory in secondary schools to enhance food security
• Senator Saliu Mustapha emphasized that practical agricultural education can shift perceptions of farming, making it a viable career for youth

The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development has called on the federal government to introduce compulsory, hands-on agricultural studies in secondary schools across Nigeria.

Senator Saliu Mustapha, the committee’s chairman, suggested this during a public lecture organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ilorin.

The keynote address, delivered by Prof. Binta Sulyman of Kwara State University on his behalf, emphasized the importance of moving beyond mere discussions about agriculture.

Senator Mustapha argued that introducing practical agricultural education at an early age would help the next generation view farming as a viable career option, rather than just a subsistence activity.

“We must take agriculture seriously to feed our growing population and reduce our dependence on imports,” he said. He noted that making agricultural studies mandatory in secondary schools is crucial for achieving this goal.

The senator expressed concern over the declining interest in agriculture among young Nigerians, attributing this to the perception that farming is labour-intensive and unprofitable.

He stressed the need to expose students to modern, technology-driven agricultural methods, such as mechanized farming, agribusiness, and sustainable practices, to reignite interest in the sector.

Senator Mustapha also pointed out that making agricultural studies compulsory would help address rising unemployment by equipping young people with the skills to enter farming, agribusiness, and related industries.