This postulation isn’t just academic, it’s a mirror held up to Nigeria’s broken system, and what I see frustrates and inspires me. Here’s why:
- We’ve Been Asking the Wrong People for Solutions
For years, Nigeria’s agricultural policies have been designed in air-conditioned offices by people who’ve never held a hoe or struggled to sell tomatoes before they rot. This study flips the script by amplifying the voices of those actually doing the work, the farmer who invents her own irrigation hacks, the young graduate running a profitable snail farm, the trader navigating terrible roads to get yam to market. Finally, someone asked them: “What would help you thrive?” - The Youth Exodus Isn’t Just About Money—It’s About Dignity
The study confirms what I’ve seen firsthand: Young people don’t hate farming; they hate being looked down on. When a society glorifies white-collar jobs (even unpaid internships) but scoffs at a young farmer making ₦500k/month from poultry, something is broken. This research exposes the cultural shame attached to farming—and that’s the first step to fixing it. - Nigeria’s Biggest Irony: We’re Hungry in a Land of Plenty
It’s outrageous: A country with some of the world’s most fertile soil imports food. Why? Because we’ve treated farming as an afterthought. This study shows that fixing agriculture isn’t just about “feeding the nation”—it’s about unlocking a trillion-naira industry we’re sleeping on. Imagine if Nigeria processed just 50% of its cassava into high-value products instead of exporting raw starch. The jobs! The foreign exchange! - The Private Sector is Ready—But the System is Fighting Them
I’ve met young agripreneurs with brilliant ideas—vertical farms, agro-processing apps, export-grade shea butter—but they’re held back by no electricity, no loans, and corrupt middlemen. This study’s call for public-private collaboration is critical. Banks need to wake up: Agripreneurs aren’t “risky”—they’re Nigeria’s most undervalued asset. - A Warning: Ignore This, and We’ll Starve Ourselves
The study’s urgency can’t be overstated. With population booming and oil declining, agriculture isn’t just an option—it’s the survival strategy. If we don’t act now:
Food prices will keep rising (even though we grow enough to feed ourselves).
Unemployment will explode (while farms beg for workers).
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Rural poverty will deepen (pushing more youth into dangerous migration).
What Gives Me Hope
The solutions are not complicated:
✔ Teach farming as a tech-driven business (not “old man’s work”).
✔ Give farmers access to credit and markets (cut out the exploitative middlemen).
✔ Celebrate agripreneurs like celebrities (where are the “Shark Tank” episodes for farmers?).
My Challenge to You
This study isn’t just for policymakers—it’s for all of us:
Parents: Stop pushing your kids only toward “office jobs.” The next Dangote might be in agribusiness.
Youth: Farming isn’t “plan B.” It’s the biggest startup opportunity in Nigeria.
Media: Spotlight agro-success stories like they’re Nollywood blockbusters.
Final Word: The Revolution Starts with Mindset
We don’t need more reports gathering dust on shelves. We need a cultural and political revolution that places farming at the center of Nigeria’s future. This study lights the way—but will we follow?
Agribusiness isn’t just about crops. It’s about claiming our future
