In view of the present problem of food shortages plaguing the whole world, it has become imperative for us to think of ways of providing solution. It is no longer news that the worse hit are women and children most especially in underdeveloped and developing nations of the world. Although, developed countries like USA and Britain are also affected, the impact is not as alarming as we have in the aforementioned countries. Precious lives have been lost, very peaceful families have broken and different diseases arising from malnutrition have continued to wreck havoc. Should we then fold our arms and allow these problems to continue? The answer is definitely no!
Everybody must come up with genuine ideas which aim at providing solution to these problems. We should not leave everything in the hands of government alone; we can also contribute our own quota to assist the government in solving the problem. It is as a result of this that I have come up with the idea of using the young farmers clubs to boost food production in the local communities.
Young farmers clubs are associations of agricultural science students which engage in farming activities within the school premises. They do this to demonstrate their understanding of what was previously learnt in the classrooms. The club does not produce in large quantities so as to sell to the public, whatever is harvested is shared among the students and the staff. I therefore suggest this strategy but with a modification; each school will adopt a one-crop and one-animal system so as to give room for specialization and full concentration. If it happens that a school does not have a fertile land to support the planting of crops, such a school can then depend solely on livestock production. There might also be a situation whereby a school is having a large expanse of fertile land, such an institution may cultivate more than one crop but, it must not exceed three crops.
A practical example of this system is a school that has chosen to cultivate maize and rear goats. Before arriving at this, a study must have been carried out on the soil to ensure its suitability for the crop; the climate too must have been found okay for both crop and animal. Secondly, the chosen products must be popular in the area so as to serve the community when produced. I belief this system will work because, it involves youths who are vibrant, agile and resilient. They are result-oriented and always want to get things done as quickly as possible.
As a teacher of agricultural science for 15years, in different parts of Lagos State, Nigeria, I have discovered that when it comes to farm work, students are always excited and are willing to take up responsibilities that are even more than they can cope with. I therefore use this opportunity to implore heads of government, agricultural science teachers, opinion leaders, decision makers and indeed each and every citizen of the world to take up this strategy of using the school young farmers club to boost food production in their various domains. We should not underrate this method as it is capable of feeding hundreds of youths and women in the local communities. For instance, the families of both students and staff have the opportunity of buying harvested products at cheaper price. In addition, the participating students are given part of the harvest as rewards for their sweat. On the part of the students, they would have gained so much in the areas of theoretical and practical knowledge in agriculture which might even benefit the whole community in the future as those students may later take up farming as their means of livelihood.
For the success of this system, the following advice should be strictly adhered to:
Firstly, agricultural science teachers in different schools must wake up to their responsibilities as the bulk of the work rests on them; they should have it in mind that they are contributing their quota to save many families who are deeply submerged in the ocean of hunger. In fact, they determine the success or failure of the programme. They must also ginger up and motivate the students because a well motivated student will go extra miles in ensuring that success is achieved. In addition, other subject teachers and non-agricultural science students should be co-opted to achieve sound result.
Secondly, the government has a lot of role to play in ensuring that the programme succeeds. For example, the government should provide the clubs with viable seeds, implements, fertilizers, quality animals etc. They should also organize seminars, workshops for heads of schools and other members of staff with a view to arouse in them, love for farming. Furthermore, agricultural science teachers should be trained and retrained to awaken the spirit and love for farming in them. This gesture will definitely have a positive effect on the generality of the students and the staff.
Thirdly, the extension workers of the ministry of agriculture should be closer to the school to disseminate useful information which will boost production and reduce losses to pests and diseases. They should also use that opportunity to obtain information on problems confronting the school so as to offer solution. In fact, they should serve as a conduit between the club and the government.
Fourthly, excursions should be organized for the students to broaden their knowledge and expose them to how farming is practiced in other schools or communities. If need be, they can even travel abroad to have a first-hand experience, this will surely consolidate their interest in farming.
Fifthly, the need to have basic infrastructures in the school should not be a reason to jettison farming. As the heads of schools clamor for more classrooms and other amenities, they should try as much as possible to set aside a portion of the school land for farming.
In view of the global demands for not only food but fuel, it has become necessary for decision makers to consider and implement the suggestions in this article for the betterment of all. There could be a modification of the strategy by users but, my ultimate aim is to see that there is enough food for the teeming population of hungry people in Africa and elsewhere in the world. It is my belief that if this system is practiced with all sincerity, the world will achieve an appreciable level of food production.
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