Ondo State secondary schools have been instructed by the government to establish farms and promote entrepreneurship. Education Commissioner, Hon Laolu Akindolire, stated that this initiative is designed to address food shortages and empower students with essential skills.
Akindolire highlighted the necessity of practical skills in agriculture, food processing, and entrepreneurship to address unemployment and promote socio-economic development. He commended the Multiskill Teenpreneurship Program (MSTP) for its focus on empowering students to be self-reliant and contribute to their communities.
The Commissioner suggested that Nigeria’s food shortage could be alleviated if all secondary schools established farms as part of their agricultural science curriculum. He called for increased cooperation between the government, NGOs, and philanthropists to support educational initiatives and develop students’ entrepreneurial potential.
Dr. Olugbenga Ogidan, an associate professor at Elizade University, underscored the importance of irrigation practices in modern farming. He lamented the underutilization of arable land, resulting in food scarcity despite abundant resources.
Wale Akinyanmi, the head of the Multi-Skills Program, stated that the MSTP Farm will be instrumental in ensuring food security in the state. He noted that the program has reached more than 600 students in nine secondary schools and aims to equip instructors with the necessary skills. Akinyanmi stressed the importance of farms adopting intelligent irrigation systems to mitigate the impacts of climate change and boost production.
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