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Ondo Govt Directs Secondary Schools to Establish Farms, Embrace Entrepreneurship
The Ondo State Government has instructed all secondary schools to establish farms and promote entrepreneurship as part of their curriculum.
According to the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Laolu Akindolire, this move is aimed at addressing food scarcity while equipping students with essential life skills.
“This initiative will not only address food insecurity but also prepare our students with practical knowledge in agriculture, food processing, and entrepreneurship.
“These are the skills needed to combat unemployment and foster socio-economic development,” Akindolire said.
The Commissioner commended the Multiskill Teenpreneurship Program (MSTP) for its efforts in empowering students to be self-reliant and contribute positively to society.
“We believe that if all secondary schools in Nigeria establish farms as part of their agricultural science curriculum, we could significantly reduce the food crisis facing the country,” he added.
Akindolire also called for stronger collaboration between the government, NGOs, and philanthropists to support educational initiatives that enhance students’ entrepreneurial potential.
In a related statement, an associate professor at Elizade University, Dr. Olugbenga Ogidan, stressed the importance of modern farming techniques, especially irrigation.
“Despite Nigeria’s abundant arable land, we are still facing food scarcity because we are not utilizing our resources effectively,” he lamented.
Wale Akinyanmi, CEO of the Multi-Skills Program, echoed the government’s sentiments, noting that the MSTP Farm initiative will play a crucial role in ensuring food security in Ondo State.
“So far, the program has reached over 600 students in nine secondary schools, and we are committed to equipping instructors with the necessary skills to teach entrepreneurship,” Akinyanmi said.
He further emphasized the need for schools to adopt smart irrigation systems to mitigate the effects of climate change and boost agricultural productivity.
“In this era of climate change, modern farming methods are key to increasing yields and sustaining food production,” Akinyanmi concluded.
