The United Nations Food System Summit Country Cohort Youth Lead, Azeez Salawu, has charged youths to embrace innovative and sustainable practices in 2024 to develop agriculture in Nigeria.

He added that intentional youths who are ready to promote effective practices in the agriculture sector must also adopt continuous learning, entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration, advocacy, resilience, community engagement, and value addition.

Speaking during an exclusive interview session with Agronigeria, Salawu said youth participation is sacrosanct in transforming the industry and driving innovations.

In his words: “Ahead of 2024, my advice to youths in agriculture is to embrace innovation, continuous learning, entrepreneurial thinking, sustainable practices, collaboration, advocacy, resilience, community engagement, value addition, and taking action.”

According to him, these approaches would enable youths to bring about positive transformation to the sector and promote food security.

“I strongly believe that these approaches will enable young people to transform agriculture, drive innovation, and ensure food security as we collectively continue to work together toward the food systems transformation in Nigeria,” he said.

He further called on governments at all levels to prioritize agriculture, recognizing its pivotal role in economic growth, and take proactive steps towards a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agricultural sector in Nigeria.