By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
Teva Foods and green economy stakeholders have called on Nigerian youths to embrace sustainable agriculture that merges smart technology with climate-resilient practices as a response to food insecurity, climate change, and unemployment.
The call was made at the commissioning of the Teva Foods Jos-1 Greenhouse Farm Estate, held at the company’s facility in Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State.
Chief Executive Officer of Teva Foods, Chima Christian, said the project was born out of concern over the widespread presence of genetically modified and inorganic foods in the Nigerian market. He noted that the greenhouse was designed to promote organic food production using a fusion of climate-adaptive strategies and precision farming technologies.
According to Christian, over 12,000 bell pepper seedlings have been planted at the Jos-1 facility, while the company has also cultivated 10,000 yam tubers and plantain crops across various farms nationwide.
“We were tired of just complaining about GMOs, inorganic foods, and the lack of healthy options—so we decided to act,” he said. “This greenhouse represents controlled agriculture. Every plant receives exactly what it needs—specific quantities of water and nutrients. It’s a response to the unpredictability of the weather due to climate change.”
He further emphasized the need for ethical agricultural practices, cautioning against profit-driven genetic modification that compromises consumer health.
Christian stated that Teva Foods aims to inspire a new generation of ethical agri-preneurs who will drive sustainable food systems in Nigeria.
“Agriculture is still largely left in the hands of the elderly in rural areas. We want to see young, enterprising Nigerians view farming as a business. You don’t need a large greenhouse to begin. You can start with sack farming or a small backyard setup,” he said.
On employment, the CEO disclosed that the construction of the greenhouse provided temporary jobs for 10 to 15 workers daily over a 40-day period, while full-time staff have since been retained for ongoing operations. He added that the company’s growing distribution network is expected to generate further indirect jobs for transporters and suppliers.
Also speaking at the event, Desmond Chollom, Chief Executive Officer of Atmosphere Nigeria and consultant to the project, described the greenhouse initiative as part of a broader climate adaptation strategy aimed at enhancing food production across Plateau State and beyond.
Chollom, whose organisation trains young people in the green economy, said climate change remains an existential threat to agriculture and urged governments at all levels to support youth-focused smart farming initiatives through training, infrastructure, and access to technology.
“Smart farming is the new trend. We can no longer do things the old way. Agricultural yields are falling, and this is one of the ways to respond. The technology used here can be applied to other crops, including cereals like maize,” he noted.
A participant in the internship programme, Mercy Chineke, said the initiative had provided her with hands-on experience in smart farming and boosted her interest in organic food production.
“I’ve always been passionate about organic farming. This project gave me the practical exposure I needed, and I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned with others,” she said, urging young people to embrace agriculture as a career path.
