PROFESSOR CHARITY AREMU CHARGES GOVERNMENT TO INITIATE POLICIES TO DRIVE YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURE.

PROFESSOR CHARITY AREMU CHARGES GOVERNMENT TO INITIATE POLICIES TO DRIVE YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURE.

The Vice Chancellor of Venite University, Iloro Ekiti, Professor Charity Onye Aremu, has called on government at all levels to initiate policies that will promote youth participation in agriculture and enhance cassava production and processing in Nigeria.

She made this call while delivering the keynote address at the 3rd Annual Agbeyewa Traditional Rulers Retreat held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Center.

Professor Aremu emphasised the need for deliberate government policies that will strengthen cassava value chains, improve processing systems, and boost productivity in the agricultural sector. She also reiterated the importance of engaging farmers associations in Ekiti State to drive a purposeful vision towards achieving greater progress in agriculture.

Highlighting the importance of youth inclusion, the Vice Chancellor stressed the need to inspire and empower young people, particularly Generation Z, to take active roles in agriculture. She outlined three approaches to achieving this goal through the use of high technology, promotion of innovation, and the application of gamification such as competitions, dashboards, and hackathons to make agriculture more attractive.

Also speaking at the event, the Ekiti State Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo, who represented the Governor, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting investors in agriculture. He stated that the government recognises the impact of enterprises like Agbeyewa and commended traditional rulers for their continued support.

He further assured stakeholders that land related challenges that may hinder investment would be resolved promptly, noting that the government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for agricultural development.

The retreat was attended by traditional rulers across Ekiti State, with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, serving as the Royal Father of the Day.

In her concluding remarks, Professor Aremu emphasised the need to create access to grants for agripreneurs, describing them as the “3ers” Growers, Consumers and Exporters as a pathway to sustainable agricultural development and economic transformation.