The ”KokoFarmer” , D’Banj Endorses A Campaign Aimed At Empowering Youths To Be Agricultural Enterpreneurs
Popular Musician , D’banj endorsed a campaign aimed at encouraging the youth to venture into the agricultural sector , rather than depend so much on ”white colar jobs”. This campaign comes up just a week after D’banj ventured into the agricultural sector with the launch of ”Koko Garri”. The Kokomaster , now known as ”KokoFarmer” said that in agric business, “youths do not have to suffer to earn a living”. He also added that youths can also make money from marketing , processing and packaging of agricultural products.
”The KokoFarmer” spoke at Do Africa, It Pays, campaign held over the weekend, at the Transcorp Hilton. The campaign was created to educate the youth more about agriculture and to open their eyes to the massive wealth they could make from the agricultural sector.
According to promoters, the campaign is in line with the African Union’s declaration of 2014 as the year of agriculture and food security, where leaders are expected to review their agricultural investment commitments at the next AU Summit slated for June 2014.
“When I was coming here, some people asked why I was wearing a suit to promote farming and I told them that it is such negative views of farming that I and others will work to change. I want to tell youths that a farmer can wear a Rolex and drive a Bentley,” he said.
The Kokofarmer, who is marking his tenth year as a performing artiste this year, enjoined the young people present to take a cue from Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who made his money partly through agriculture.
“Five years ago, I started Koko Holdings and I want the youths to see that I have already started. Please, my dear youths, we can do it. We should take a cue from Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. He made his money partly through agriculture – not oil. I will also be producing Koko Bread made from cassava, just to practically support government’s drive to bring youths into agriculture,” he emphasised.
He used the opportunity to formally launch his Koko Ijebu garri, one of his innovative agricultural products, and harped on the opportunity availed young people by the AU’s present stance on agriculture. D’banj also stated that it provides opportunity for Nigeria to reverse budgetary cuts and improve a vital sector on which the majority of Nigerian citizens depend.
“This is why when I was with the minister of Agriculture Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and he told me of the Nagro-preneur venture of government which is targeted at raising 750,000 young agricultural entrepreneurs, I accepted to be an ambassador for the project,” he said.
