Youth Engagement in Agriculture: Credit and Practical Appeal

Uchenna Osuagu, a young farmer with an oil palm plantation, explains that youth find oil palm farming appealing only when they access long-term agro credit. This perspective emerged during an interview with Josaphine Okojie.

Osuagu inherited his palm plantation from his parents and began processing palm kernels into oil after transitioning from teaching. He states that monetary satisfaction from teaching was insufficient to motivate this shift.

The youth have not observed practical agricultural opportunities that attract them to the sector, according to Osuagu. This lack of visible prospects discourages many from pursuing agriculture despite studying related courses.

Osuagu emphasizes that government support must address credit access to ensure youth consider agriculture as a viable profession, as current conditions fail to meet their expectations.