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 stepped up agricultural revolution advocacy.
The two government agencies on Monday embarked on a guided tour with pupils of select Public Primary Schools and Junior Secondary Schools, JSS in Delta state to Ophromo Farms limited at Evwreni, Ughelli North local government area.
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.
Executive Chairman, SUBEB, Delta State, Hon Samuel Mariere, said the programme was aimed at enhancing and the understanding of pupils and students on the need to venture into agriculture from 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 have 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 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 to encourage them to show interest in agriculture and farming.
The pupils and children were taken around the various sections of the farm, including poultry, fishing ponds and crops farms such as cassava, plantain plantation, palm trees and vegetables, amongst others.
Some of the pupils and teachers said the experience has multiple benefits as they have been encouraged to start their own small farms.
They commended both the federal and state government for providing them the opportunity.
