By Kayode Olabanji
Agriculture has been described as a viable career that young people should embrace, rather than waiting for white-collar jobs, which are not readily available.
Mr. Rotimi Akinsehinwa, an Agricultural Economist and Extensionist, in a chat with The Hope, made this call and urged the government to introduce policies that promote farm mechanisation, create farm settlements, and improve access to land, machinery, and agricultural inputs.
He said such measures would encourage more young people to pursue careers in farming.
Narrating his journey into agriculture, Akinsehinwa who is an agricultural entrepreneur explained that his initial dream was to study aeronautical engineering, but he opted for Agricultural Economics due to the high cost of the former.
According to him, the decision turned out to be a blessing, as it aligned with his passion for nature and hands-on farming. His university training, he added, provided him with a strong foundation in agribusiness, record-keeping, and economic principles for addressing agricultural challenges.
He noted, however, that he had to acquire additional skills in information technology—including proficiency in Microsoft applications and internet research—to succeed in modern agriculture.
Akinsehinwa disclosed that he currently runs an agribusiness focused on crop production, funded mainly through his personal savings.
On the challenges of farming, he identified weather variability, pests, and market price fluctuations as major risks. However, he emphasised that proper planning, pest control methods, as well as storage and processing, help minimise losses.
He dismissed the notion that agriculture is a career for illiterates, describing it instead as a full-time business that can be highly profitable for those who are well-trained and informed. He also pointed out that limited access to land and finance continues to discourage many young graduates from venturing into the sector.