How NYSC boosts food security, jobs in new programme

The programme is the Fadama III farming scheme which aims to change the perception of youth corpers about farming and dependence on white collar jobs, as they can contribute to the economy through agriculture.If well implemented the programme will provide relevant skills in agriculture and allied industries for the production, packaging, marketing of major crops […]

The programme is the Fadama III farming scheme which aims to change the perception of youth corpers about farming and dependence on white collar jobs, as they can contribute to the economy through agriculture.
If well implemented the programme will provide relevant skills in agriculture and allied industries for the production, packaging, marketing of major crops in a value chain approach.
The Director General of NYSC Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi said the youth corpers’ farming scheme was established in 2012 with the aim of ensuring sustainable food production for corpers while in camp.
“We are also working at value chains where all corps members are involved in one thing or the other from planting, production and selling. I hope by the time I am done with my tenure the garri we eat in camp is made by corps members,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for providing 70 hectares of land in Kwali, FCT for which 20 hectares has been used for cassava plantation, adding that the farmland will also be used to train corpers in farming and used for business.
He also commended the Institute of International Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for providing the cassava sticks which has been used for the cultivation and the Agric ministry for garri processing machines for the corpers in camp.
Among the noble objectives of the NYSC scheme, which was established in 1973 by the General Yakubu Gowon administration is to enhance national unity through the exposure to different cultures within the country.
However, criticisms have trailed the defeat of the original aim of the NYSC as corpers mostly end up as teachers while those with higher connection go to blue-chip firms in cities.

This informed the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan that the corpers be posted to four critical areas of the society: Rural Health, Primary and Secondary Education; Rural Infrastructural Development and Agricultural Development.
Many states such as Niger, Plateau, and Ogun have utilized the energy and knowledge of corpers in agriculture. The overall development is good news for a country in need of skills and jobs.
According to sources in NYSC, an average of 80, 000 graduates are mobilized in a batch for national service. There are three batches in a year. Added to the already saturated labour market with millions of graduates, Nigeria cannot afford to trifle with agriculture.
A recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics places unemployment rate at 23 per cent. The country also has an active population of 60 per cent, who fall into the age bracket of 15 to 64 years, out of 170 million people.
Thus the Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Foluso Philips in a recent article in this paper identified agriculture as one with 11 times the more effective at reducing poverty than growth in other sectors.
“Agriculture also has the potential to lift millions of people out of extreme poverty by 2024,” he said.
He said Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister, Dr Adewumi Adesina understands very well the notion of agriculture becoming Nigeria’s “green oil” meaning that it will become the country’s next big economic opportunity.
A World Bank report asserts that Africa’s food markets will increase in value to the tune of $1 trillion in less than 20 years that is by 2030.
But making agriculture attractive to the youth has been a major challenge for the authorities. For instance, Dr Baraka Sani, senior special assistant to the President on School Agricultural Programme, in a recent interview with the Daily Trust said a new presidential initiative will present agriculture as an exciting business. She also said various events are being organised under the Young Farmers Club to catch farmers young.
The opportunities available in agriculture are enormous. All what is required for the youths to become actively involved through attractive incentives.