Funmi Ogundare
Pupils from all public primary schools in Lagos State recently converged on the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Multipurpose Hall, for the Y2018 Agricultural Education Training Programme (AETP) exhibition show, aimed at promoting and encouraging farming entreprenership among them.
Speaking at the programme, the Chairman of the board, Wahab Alawiye-King, who was represented by a Board Member in charge of Schools Support Services, Dr. Saheed Ibikunle, noted that the programme, funded by UBEC for school farming, is not just a space for growing food items, but also learning, which has largely taken basic education to a new height in the state.
He said 51 selected primary schools were able to access funds for crop farming, snail rearing, poultry and fishing through bank account opened by the schools under the AETP, adding that pupils will be guided to plant, monitor the growth of and harvest their crops for sale.
“The sustainability of the programme is key to the board as each home must be able to produce a farmer. The pupils after getting the experiential learning can become agri-prenuer in future,” he said.
Alawiye-King advised the pupils to imbibe the necessary skills for farming, adding that stakeholders should also encourage them to go to the farm.” You must imbibe certain skills for agriculture and make the best use of it. We need more people to go into farming so that at the end of the day, we can solve one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is to eradicate hunger.”
In his remarks, the Board Member in charge of Basic Education Quality Assurance, Mr. Dayo Israel said SUBEB understands the importance of agriculture to the growth of the economy, while describing it as a lucrative business.” What you are being taught by your teachers is the important skill for you to be able to plant and grow, do not let anything you are being taught to die,” he said.
Another Board Member in charge of Co-corricular Activities, Mrs. Sherifat Adedoyin stressed the need for the country to shift away from crude oil to agriculture, adding that there is more profit when people go into farming.” We need to be able to feed ourselves through agriculture, we can also make money from it. If you go into any kind of agriculture, you can be an employer of labour.”
She advised teachers to ensure that the pupils inculcate the habit of going to the farm to cultivate crop in their schools.
The Managing Director, Xlarge Farm Consultant, Mrs. Seyi Abimbola emphasised the importance of agriculture and food to the country, saying that without it, there is no future.” Agriculture is the only business that takes care of your today and secures your future,” she said, “adding that crops are rich in vitamins and minerals needed for healthy living.
