By Emeka Oluka & Olaoye Oyewole
The need for cultivating and consuming vegetables became the focal point during the 96th Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), delivered by Prof. Eyitayo Makinde.
Dissecting the title, “Vegetables: The Complete Food Package,” Prof. Makinde stated that vegetables were essential components in tropical cropping systems for meeting complete food needs, encouraging people to grow vegetables for personal consumption.
A renowned expert in Olericulture from the Department of Horticulture, College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT), Prof. Makinde emphasised the importance of consuming vegetables to human health, adding that growing it luxuriously would surely enhance vegetable completeness as a food package.
Speaking further, Prof. Makinde highlighted the benefits of reducing mineral fertiliser usage by incorporating organic sources in vegetable cultivation. He also mentioned that intercropping vegetables in cropping systems can be sustainable with organic sources like crop residues and animal waste.
The 96th Inaugural Lecturer proposed that the University’s Extension/Research unit could lead initiatives to promote vegetable farming among youths, women, and unemployed individuals.
To increase vegetable cultivation, Prof. Makinde suggested partnerships with local government authorities in the South West of Nigeria and recommended leveraging state government agricultural agencies for distribution and marketing.
Additionally, he explored the use of natural organic Rock Phosphates as a substitute for inorganic phosphorus.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, commended Prof. Makinde for his expertise and dedication to sharing knowledge with students. He acknowledged Prof. Makinde’s significant contributions to the field of Olericulture.
Present at the Lecture were the Vice-Chancellor, Babcock University, Prof. Ademola Tayo and wife; former Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ololade Enikuomehin; former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Morenike Dipeolu; former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Prof. Clement Adeofun, as well as several others within and outside of FUNAAB.
