Diko: Mr Abubakar Gotomo, founder of Gotomo Farms and Wildlife Services, has urged the youths to explore agro-business as a pathway to sustainable employment. Gotomo made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Diko, Niger on Sunday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, agriculture offers a significant pathway to sustainable employment in Nigeria, particularly when focusing on sustainable farming practices. These practices, such as crop rotation, agro-forestry, and efficient water management, can boost yields, reduce costs, and improve resilience to climate change.
Gotomo emphasized the potential for wealth creation through agriculture, stating, “People should aspire to come into agriculture to pursue such a business that they can be rich within the shortest possible time. When you pursue it, you do it according to the best practice, be rest assured you will make your money.” He provided an example from Gotomo farm, which has about 36 concrete fish ponds and over 10 earthen farms for fish production. He highlighted the profitability of fish farming, noting that a single pond farm with 2,500 catfish can yield significant profits within 120 days.
He further stressed the vast opportunities available in the agriculture sector, including input provision, selling, marketing, and transportation. Gotomo encouraged graduates not to wait, but to embrace agriculture as a viable career path immediately after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Gotomo shared his personal motivation for entering agri-business, citing a desire for economic independence and the limitations he faced in the civil service. He noted, “With food production, people must eat and you have access to market when you produce, people must buy.” He advocated for using education as a tool to pursue independent ventures.
Addressing concerns about food quality, Gotomo highlighted the farm’s commitment to organic principles to ensure the health and safety of their products. He emphasized the importance of training and education in improving food systems and ensuring food security, which encompasses both the availability and quality of food.
