D’banj urges youths to embrace agriculture

The superstar who joined other eminent Nigerians during a campaign to advocate for better investment in agriculture said the campaign is in line with the African Union declaration of 2014 as the year of agriculture and food security.The campaign themed ‘ Do Africa, It Pays’ see is to, among other things, change public perception about […]

The superstar who joined other eminent Nigerians during a campaign to advocate for better investment in agriculture said the campaign is in line with the African Union declaration of 2014 as the year of agriculture and food security.
The campaign themed ‘ Do Africa, It Pays’ see is to, among other things, change public perception about agriculture so that the entire value chain is recognized as an attractive and viable opportunity for Agri-business, job creation for Africa’s young people and improved livelihood for smallholder farmers.
D’Banj, who used the opportunity to formally launch his ‘Koko Ijegbu Garri, one of his innovative agricultural products, stressed how this AU year of agriculture presents an opportunity for Nigeria to reverse budgetary cuts and improve a vital sector on which the majority of Nigerian citizens depend.
“The Nigerian or African path to success cannot rely on foreign direct investment or private sector commitments only,” he noted.
He went on: “There is lot of money to be made in agriculture. This is how my journey into the world of agriculture started. I was taken to a cocoa plantation in Ghana. The road to the plantation was rough. When we got there I saw the small scale farmer. I asked them how they manage to run their business when they don’t have basic amenities like power and good roads.
“I want to tell youths that a farmer can wear a Rolex Wristwatch and he can drive a Bentley.
Five years ago I started Koko Holdings and I am proud to tell you that today all of you here today will be leaving here with pack of Koko Garri. It is Ijebu Garri, so you can drink it. I want the youths to see that I have already started. Please my dear youths, we can do it. We should take a cue from Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, he made his money partly through agriculture, not oil.  I will also be producing Koko Bread made from cassava just to practically support government’s drive to bring youths into agriculture.”