It is quite disheartening and suicidal for agriculture to be neglected nor relegated. Agriculture has we all know deals majorly on crop production and livestock /animal production. Value addition now comes to play has it helps in the security of food.
As a student of agriculture, one major notion I got from people outside the field is that they ridicule the sector not because of its relevance but instead because of the stress and less opportunities their shortsightedness could seem to see. They aren't aware of the numerous opportunities agriculture seem to create or embedded with.
But with the greatest shock from my personal findings and research I discovered that students and agriculturists in this field do not seem to recognize nor acknowledge the vitality the sector plays in the development of a nation asides food security. I deduced that majority of the people actually found their route by accident not by intent due to their backgrounds and dedication to work.
It is quite unfortunate to see the further decline due to its neglect by some Government in various countries most especially the African countries despite the favourable weather and environmental condition supporting it's existence.
I employ all crusaders of agriculture with a sense of knowledge on its socio-economic importance to the growth of any nation to focus on value chain to boost the agricultural sector. The relevance of agriculture cannot be undermined as it creates employment opportunities for the teeming youths hereby reducing social vices most especially African countries where it seems rampant.
You can only convince people to venture into your business unless the said business you're introducing them to seem lucrative and attractive for them to imitate as well. Same might seem applicable to agriculture most especially when spectators and observers try to buy into the idea of agriculture by venturing into it due to its numerous advantages it has brought into play most especially food security sustainability. This explains why the various research institutes, though staffed with seasoned and world acclaimed researchers remained largely unproductive, due to under-funding and attendant dearth of facilities, could barely sustain itself left alone carried out research works. This in turn accounts for the low agricultural production and the inevitability of food items importation.
If the needed attention is given to agriculture and the necessary investment made to develop the sector, and its potentials fully harnessed, It will guarantee amongst other things: alternative source of foreign exchange; poverty alleviation; food security; rural empowerment; eradication of youth restiveness and militancy; and place the economy on the part of recovering.
Without mincing words, it is evidently important that agriculture should be invested on massively with all devices and machineries in place.