LAZINESS, PEER PRESSURE …
In Fiji nowadays most youths are more interested in their bowl of 'grog' then providing for their family (and this is honestly happening in my community). The rate of unemployment today is way higher than 5 years ago. Being a banker or admin personnel (no offense) is a much more admired profession then getting your hands dirty (and this is what agriculture is known to be about i.e. farming). But we are ignorant to the fact that the land is our livelihood (we cannot live without it - can we??). Elders, parents, community leaders, etc. should be the first to go back to the land - NOW!
POLITICAL
If the government themselves advocate or become more vocal on 'agriculture' then their people will follow. It is how we advertise 'agriculture' that matters. Like you mention Ritz agriculture is more than just farming. Be more vocal on the other interesting aspects of agriculture and how not only can it bring riches to their lives, it can safe our environment as well.
There are so many reasons why ‘agriculture’ is unappealing to many people esp. youths nowadays.
So we should really concentrate on the question ‘how can we make ‘agriculture’ appealing to our modern day youths?
Agriculture is COOL! – You have to believe it yourself so others can too
By changing their negative perception towards Agriculture. They need to stop looking at it as a less paying activity which involves to much labour.
ReplyDeleteThey need to fall in love with Agriculture then practice it. The love relationship between Youth & Agriculture is influnced by teachers and parents. the more they bias them towards Agriculture, the less involved they get. And the more they encourage them, the more involved they WILL get. Those are just my thought!!
I agree with Maureen that Parents and teachers at school are the key individuals who can really influence the kind of perception youths have about agriculture..!!!
ReplyDeleteAs they say..learning begins at home..so it is the responsibility of the parents to be impartial in allowing their children to select the careers they want to get involved in and really keep agriculture as a top priority option...
ReplyDeleteTeachers have more or less the same responsibility considering the vitality of this sector..!!