Kumo urges youth to engage in agriculture

The Speaker, Gombe State Youth Parliament Rt. Hon. Khalid Ahmed Kumo has urged  youth to engage in agriculture.

Kumo

Khalid said youth engagements in agriculture will avail them an opportunity to have sense of belonging and contribute to the nation economy.

 "Technical know-how and role models might not be enough to generate the needed passionate goals for young people, hence the need for youth to be engaged in agriculture and should be capitalized upon and empowered, and above all they need to be involved in policy-making of policies and programs partaining agriculture''

Making reference with AgriPro Focus foundation, Kumo said engaging the youths  will ensure their full participation in all engagements and activities.

As Annette van Andel from AgriProFocus stressed, “It is key that we talk with the youth, rather than about them” and to make sure that they become the drivers of their own development. Engaging youth in agriculture is not a donor-driven exercise, but rather one that is supported locally and embedded in local development processes"

He added that "Engaging youth in agriculture can provide a solution for many future challenges related to food security, unemployment, urbanization and climate change. However, young people in developing countries face barriers as many lack access to knowledge, land, financial services and markets''

According to him, The parliament believes in using agriculture as a key tool for youth development and will seek workable solutions through collective data collections and supportive derivative for meaningful outcome.

He also appreciate the effort of Alh. Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya - led administration to promote agriculture and making fertilizer very accessible in both rural and urban of Gombe State.

He added that, Gombe State Youth Parliament will engage, consult and involve youth & community leaders in addressing the agriculture needs and problem analysis.

"Providing  market information to farmers and securing their access to national and international markets should be a top priority in any government policy'' Khalid added.