FG Woos Youth Into Farming, Offers Low Interest Rate.

President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to give low interest regime for farmers and challenged Nigerian youth to take farming as a serious vocation which can help them become jet owners.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday while declaring open the 13th session of the Nigeria Economic Summit, the President lamented the drift of the youth from agriculture and counseled them to have a change of mind, noting that, 'agriculture can make you have your own jet.

'I am convinced that agriculture as a business holds a bright future for our country, especially for the youth.

'Unemployment among our youth is one of the biggest challenges; the time has come to create jobs and laid a good foundation for Nigeria's economic growth.

'There is a need to get younger farmers, especially young graduates and school leavers, to take on agriculture as a business.

'I am excited that a lot of young people now see agriculture as a viable business opportunity; the panel of young business men and women that we just listened to has clearly demonstrated that the future of Nigerian agriculture is indeed bright.'

The president commended the efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria in extending its lending to the agricultural sector, assuring that government would continue to develop innovative financing mechanism to make agricultural lending more affordable.

Earlier in his remarks, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, stated that the ATA had had changed people's perception about farming and that more young farmers, foreign and local investors are gradually moving into agriculture in their efforts to earn income and profit on their investments.