To fulfil one of the core mandates of its establishment, the Federal University of Technology, FUTA, Akure has commenced commercial farming.
Flagging off the planting, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University; Senator Joseph Waku described the exercise as a right step in the right direction. He expressed happiness and optimism that it will not only contribute to the banishment of hunger in and around FUTA and Akure environs, but it will also boost the internally generated revenue of the Institution.
Senator Waku said the Federal University of Technology, Akure has again demonstrated its relevance to the society by taking its rightful position through aggressive production of agricultural produce for neighbouring communities and generating more revenue for the Institution. He also said through the exercise, peasant farmers will be educated on mechanized farming.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape expressed his gratitude to the Council for approving the proposal to commercialize farming on campus. He said because of the nature of the project and the enormous funds required, the management has resolved to initiate collaboration with stakeholders within and outside the University, stating that it was in view of this that all Cooperative Societies are invited to partner with the University.
Corroborating the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor [Development], Professor Philip Oguntunde said in order to run the project independently and to be able to meet up with the financial requirement, all Cooperatives on Campus are involved.
The farm is on 15 hectares of land and it will involve crop farming, hatchery, fishery and livestock production.
Speaking relatedly, the Dean, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology [SAAT], Professor Taiwo Amos assured Senator Waku and the University Management that the project will be properly managed under the watch of the University’s Teaching and Research Farm to meet the expectations of the University and other stakeholders.
To practically demonstrate and declare the project open, Senator Waku, together with the Vice-Chancellor, Fuwape and Dean, SAAT, Professor Taiwo Amos did symbolic maize planting with the University’s mechanical maize planter which is capable of planting and applying fertilizer to the crop simultaneously.
To manage the project, management has appointed Dr. O. P. Aiyelari as Acting General Manager, Farm Services Limited and Dr. S. O. Aro as Coordinator, Livestock Unit of the Farm Services Limited.