In their combined effort towards promoting sustainable food security and sufficiency in Nigeria, the Universal Basic Education Board, UBEC and the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, have taken a step further in advocacy for agricultural revolution.
UBEC and SUBEB said a collaborative approach between federal and the Delta State government in agriculture was one of the best ways to end poverty and promote self reliance in the society.
The two educational agencies reiterated this during a guided tour with pupils of selected Public Primary Schools and Junior Secondary Schools, JSS in Delta state to Ophromo Farms limited at Evwreni, Ughelli North local government area.
Executive Chairman, SUBEB, Delta State, Hon Samuel Mariere, said the programme was aimed at orientating the pupils and students on the need to venture into agriculture and farming even at their tender age.
Hon Mariere, a two termed member of the Delta State House of Assembly and former Commissioner for Water Resources Development, explained that the visit to Ophromo Farms involved pupils and students from Delta Central and South Senatorial District of the state, while those in Delta North will take their turn at a later date.
He said the programme is of two aspects; field trips and excursion and scientific, critical and reflective thinking of pupils and students for benefiting Primary and Junior Secondary schools, under the AETP 2020-2021 intervention year.
The Subeb Boss noted that the federal and Delta state governments found it expedient to take the pupils and students on guided tour to a farm facility for practical view and first hand knowledge of a farm and the value chains of agricultural produce.
Hon Mariere expressed optimism that the government’s effort would encourage pupils and students to see agriculture and farming as a priority irrespective of their chosen careers.
He stated that gone are the days when people see farming as a poor man venture, stressing that farmers are the richest people on earth today, adding that it is a sure way to food sufficiency, security, job opportunity and wealth creation.
The Delta State Coordinator, Universal Education Commission, UBEC, Mrs Sharon Dafiluelo, commended the Sheriff Oborevwori’s led state government for facilitating a programme that brought together school children at encouraging them to show interest in agriculture and farming.
Mrs Dafiluelo noted that UBEC believe that it was necessary to engaged children on the importance of sufficient food production in the society as food is key to human development and existence.
She said Delta State SUBEB remains one of the best in implementation of UBEC programmes, adding that the federal government will continue to support the state to achieve its goals in primary education.
The pupils and children were taken around the various sections of the farm, including poultry, fishing ponds, livestock and crops farms such as cassava, plantain plantation, palm trees and vegetables, amongst others.
There were also technical sessions where interactions engaging the pupils was the major focus.
In separate interviews, some of the pupils and teachers said the experience has multiple benefits as they have been encouraged to start their own farms no matter how small.
They commended both the federal and state government for providing them the opportunity.