By Saheed Ibrahim
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No fewer than 150 pupils from public primary schools across Ondo State have embarked on an excursion to the Federal University of Technology and Federal College of Agriculture’s demonstration farms in Akure.
The excursion is part of deliberate efforts to boost pupils’ interest in farming at a tender age.
The Chairman of Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, Akure, Victor Olabimtan, said the Federal Government conceived the annual event through the Universal Basic Education Board UBEC in conjunction with Ondo SUBEB to expose the kids to the nitty-gritty of farming.
He said that the annual programme executed under the Agricultural Education Training Programme AETP of UBEC/SUBEB provides a veritable opportunity for the pupils to learn firsthand from professional farmers and experts.
Represented by the Director of School Services, Olusoji Okedusi, Olabimtan said pupils need to know what farming entails at an early age.
According to the Chairman, the era has passed where people see agriculture as punishment, saying it must be seen as a means of livelihood and lucrative ventures that can boost the employment rate in Nigeria.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to diversify and grow her economy and end over-dependency on oil and gas but focus on renewable resources like agriculture.
Also speaking, a Deputy Director at Ondo SUBEB, Mrs. Comfort Monilari, said the exercise was an eye-opener to the pupils as they were educated on various aspects and equipment for modern farming.