The Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Jerry Uwangue, has stressed that tackling hunger and food shortages requires the active participation of all stakeholders, particularly youths, saying they must embrace food production rather than leaving it solely to the elderly in rural communities.
Uwangue, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs. Edith Sede, made this known while receiving the member representing Esan Central Constituency in the Youth Parliament and Convener of the Future Readiness Conference, Hon. Peace Ofure Ogbidi, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Benin City.
He underscored the need to equip young people and children with farming skills, describing it as a vital responsibility in ensuring long-term food security.
The Commissioner also highlighted the Edo State Government’s ‘Back-to-Farm’ initiative, urging citizens to return to agriculture to boost food production across the state.
Uwangue commended Ogbidi for the initiative and congratulated the organisers on the successful hosting of the conference.
He assured that the Ministry would continue to support and collaborate on programmes that promote agricultural development.
Earlier, Ogbidi, while briefing the Commissioner on the conference, explained that it focused on four key pillars: life skills and personal development, technology and the future of work, agricultural innovation and food security, and agricultural value chains.
She noted that the conference attracted over 5,000 primary and secondary school students and was designed to inspire young people to explore agriculture and its value chains as viable career paths.
Ogbidi pledged to submit a detailed report on the outcomes of the conference to the Commissioner and expressed appreciation to the Ministry for its support toward the success of the event.
