As the 40th National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development meeting winds up, participants have lauded the Ogun State Government’s initiative on its Model Farm Estate located in Owowo in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State. The participants expressed their feelings during a facility tour to the farm estate which was part of the activities lined up for the annual event.

            One of them, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Samuel Meshi described the initiative as a commendable effort capable of attracting the young generation into farming.

            As he puts it, the availability of a land mass fit for agricultural production and provision of buildings with modern amenities for the use of prospective farmers would be an attraction to young graduates who ordinarily would have been roaming the streets in search of almost non-existing white collar jobs.

On his part, a retired Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Alli-Baba said the gesture was worthy of being replicated in other parts of the country, but advised that plans should be made for expansion as he envisaged that with time, more youths would show interest in the programme.

            Conducting the participants round the farm estate earlier, Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun said it was another step of government to create job opportunities for teeming youths and ensure food security.

            “We observed that most youths after graduation roam aimlessly on the streets and those that studied agriculture were not motivated to practice. So this initiative was to encourage our youths, create more employment, empower them and increase food production in the State” she stated.

            She disclosed that amenities such as electricity, potable water, health and security facilities are to be put in place for residents, affirming that all forms of agricultural production would be embarked upon by them.

Answering a question on how the State was able to acquire such a large expanse of land for the estate, Sokefun stated that owners who bought into the mission to rebuild agenda of the State Government willingly surrendered their lands, adding that on its part, government had also compensated them