By Saheed Ibrahim

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An agricultural expert, Mr. Sunday Fadeni has identified the dearth of school farming as a setback in agricultural development in Nigeria.

Fadeni, who spoke in an exclusive interview with The Hope, said many homes do not encourage farming and this discourages the young ones from farming

“The students we teach don’t even have interest in farming. Looking at the setup at our various homes, agriculture is not encouraged. You are now bringing these students to school to come and do farm work. That cannot work,” he explained.

The Maltina Teacher of the Year 2021 in Ondo State said the school can encourage agriculture among the students, using his school as an example.

 “In My school, Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, the principal brings out of the little fund in the school and mobilizes the agric teachers.

“We attach a certain number of students to some seedlings and poultry birds to nurture. Last December, we produced broilers; we attached three to each group of students and they raised them from a day old to the selling point and we made our money.

“That one gears up students, so that is the system and the approach we use at Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School.

“Also, we ensure Agricultural students in each particular set must have a specific project before they leave from SS1 to SS3. That one encourages them,” he explained.

The Agric teacher advised schools should bring back the school farms as it used to be in time past, saying it would not only encourage agriculture among the youth but also serve as a source of additional income.