UNIPORT VC Calls for Youth-Focused Agriculture, Urges Stakeholders to Promote Economic Crops
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Chike Princewill, has called on stakeholders in the agricultural sector to make agriculture more attractive to children and young people by presenting it as a viable, innovative and rewarding pathway to economic prosperity and sustainable development.
Philip22
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Chike Princewill, has called on stakeholders in the agricultural sector to make agriculture more attractive to children and young people by presenting it as a viable, innovative and rewarding pathway to economic prosperity and sustainable development.
Prof. Chike made the call on Monday, August 17, 2026, while delivering his opening remarks at the 2nd Agricultural Policy Research Network (APRNet) International Conference and Agrifood Systems Stakeholders’ Forum, held at the CBN Centre of Excellence, University of Port Harcourt.
The conference, with the theme “Advancing Inclusive and Resilient Agrifood Systems in a Changing Climate through Entrepreneurship, Digital Innovation and Value Chain Development,” brought together academics, policymakers, farmers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to examine practical approaches to building resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
The Vice-Chancellor described agriculture as the foundation of human survival and the bedrock of every society, stressing that no nation could achieve meaningful development without a sustainable food system.
He observed that the declining interest of young people in agriculture calls for a deliberate change in the way the sector is presented to the younger generation.
According to him, children should be introduced to agriculture in ways that make it exciting, innovative and economically rewarding, rather than allowing them to perceive it merely as a traditional occupation.
Prof. Chike also urged stakeholders to pay greater attention to the cultivation and nurturing of crops with high economic value, noting that agriculture could serve not only as a means of ensuring food security but also as a powerful avenue for wealth creation, employment generation and national development.
The Vice-Chancellor reiterated the commitment of the University of Port Harcourt to supporting research, innovation and partnerships that contribute to food security, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
