Sowing Seeds Early: Why We Must Empower Secondary School Students, Youths In Agriculture
By Chi Tola
In a world rapidly changing and growing, one truth remains constant: we must eat to live. Agriculture is not just the backbone of any nation’s economy; it is the lifeline of human existence.
Yet today, fewer and fewer young people dream of working in agriculture. They see it as old-fashioned, dirty, or unworthy of ambition.
If we do not change this mindset — beginning from secondary school — we are setting ourselves up for a future crisis far worse than we can imagine.
Why start in secondary school?
The secondary school years are when young minds are still open, energetic, and searching for purpose.
It is during this season that we must introduce them to the endless possibilities in agriculture — from technology-driven farming to agribusiness, from food innovation to environmental sustainability.
By exposing them early, we plant seeds of interest that can grow into careers, companies, and revolutions that feed nations.
Agriculture today is not just about hoes and cutlasses; it’s about drones, data analysis, biotechnology, and global food markets.
We must help our youths see that agriculture is the future — not the past.
The danger of ignoring this responsibility – If we fail to properly direct and invest in our secondary school students toward agriculture:
We will face severe food insecurity.
If today’s youths reject agriculture, who will grow the food of tomorrow? Nations that cannot feed themselves are nations that cannot survive.
We will deepen unemployment and poverty. – Agriculture has the power to absorb millions into meaningful, profitable work. Ignoring it means losing one of the largest economic engines available to young people.
We will lose innovation opportunities. – Youths bring creativity and fresh energy. Without them in agriculture, we miss out on the ideas and innovations that could revolutionize how we produce and distribute food.
We will remain dependent on imports. – A nation that neglects its farmers becomes a slave to foreign powers. Building strong agricultural systems starts by empowering our young people today.
What must we do?
Incorporate agriculture creatively into school curriculums: not just theory, but practice — school gardens, agricultural technology clubs, farm visits, entrepreneurship programs.
Celebrate agricultural success stories: show them real-life examples of young farmers and agripreneurs who are thriving.
Invest in agricultural competitions, scholarships, and mentorships.
Introduce technology and innovation early: precision farming, hydroponics, smart irrigation — the new face of farming must excite them.
Conclusion: A seed sown today becomes a forest tomorrow
The future of agriculture — and indeed the survival of our people — depends on what we do with our youths today. Secondary school students must not only be encouraged but empowered to see agriculture as a noble, profitable, and vital career path.
If we ignore this, we are not just failing them; we are failing ourselves. But if we invest wisely now, we can grow a new generation of agricultural champions who will feed nations, create wealth, and steward the earth.
The seeds are in our hands — let us sow them wisely
