Wesley University of Ondo State, in collaboration with Reality Life Magazine of Ondo State, has named Dr. Adeola Odedina, a former Ogun State commissioner for agriculture, the outstanding Agripreneur personality of 2023.
The university’s vice chancellor, Prof. Sunday Samuel, presented the esteemed award and praised Dr. Odedina for his outstanding achievements to the agricultural field.
Additionally, Dr. Odedina received another accolade as the most outstanding master trainer in agriculture from Agro-Reality Lifestyle Magazine.
Expressing his gratitude, he stated that the recognition would serve as motivation to further contribute to the agricultural sector.
Dr. Odedina, who doubled as a guest lecturer at the event, stressed the importance for stakeholders to encourage young people to pursue careers in agriculture.
He outlined the main areas that needed help, like financial support, land access, and the incorporation of automation and technology and emphasised the value of lending money to aspiring farmers, pointing out that growing commodities such as cassava requires a significant investment.
Moreover, he addressed the crucial aspects of off-taking and marketing, emphasizing the need for young farmers to be connected with industries that can utilize their agricultural produce as raw materials.
He appealed to Stakeholders in agriculture, institutions to play a pivotal role in supporting the youth interested in agriculture.
” As we encourage the youth to embrace agriculture, let us also provide the necessary support, creating a sustainable pathway for the next generation of agripreneurs”.
“My take today is that the government, institution, stakeholders should also think on how to support youth so that they can go into agriculture by supporting them in those areas .
“Let them access loan, give them short training, then market training . We must be very careful when we are pushing out youth to go an do agriculture , if we are sending youth out to go into agriculture, let us also support them .”
In his lecture, Professor Joseph Adegeye, a distinguished Agricultural Economist called for a collective interest in farming, emphasizing the need to cultivate a generation passionate about agriculture.
He acknowledged that some individuals may be deterred from entering farming when they witness the challenges faced by current farmers and he urged society to recognize the importance of agriculture and actively worked towards creating a community of skilled and dedicated farmers.
In her remarks, the convener of the event Mrs. Oghenemairo Adegeye appreciated the Vice Chancellor, and the awardees for their support.
Mrs. Adegeye passionately emphasized the integral role of farmers, stating that every item consumed, regardless of its origin or packaging, is a product of agriculture.
