Last Updated on March 9, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide

By Olasunkanmi Olajide, Femi Dansu & Tayo Onayemi

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has expanded its agribusiness portfolio with the official launch of value-added food products under the Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), recording impressive sales at the event.

The initiative, unveiled today, March 4, 2026, at the DUFARMS AGROMAT, marks the University’s strategic transition from primary agricultural production to processing and value addition, aligning with global trends in agribusiness sustainability and food systems development.

Declaring the sales open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, commended DUFARMS for advancing beyond raw produce to processed and branded food products.

“DUFARMS has long been known for quality farm produce. Today, we are consolidating that reputation by adding value, enhancing shelf life, and meeting evolving consumer preferences,” he said. He emphasised the importance of food preservation and local processing, particularly in enhancing food security and minimising post-harvest losses. The product line also included traditional Nigerian staples, such as original elubọ iṣu and lẹbu, among others, catering to both domestic consumers and diaspora markets interested in authentic traditional cuisine.

Earlier, the Ag. Director of DUFARMS, Dr. Emmanuel Bankole, noted that the expansion was driven by rising consumer demand and the need to reinforce trust in locally processed foods. Newly introduced products included Certified Yellow Flour, professionally packaged melon seeds, Vitamin A–fortified yellow garri, water yam, fresh pineapples, and other farm-fresh produce.

According to Dr. Bankole, all items have undergone strict quality control procedures and were clearly labelled to guarantee safety, authenticity, and nutritional integrity.

The launch attracted strong stakeholder participation, including industry representatives and University officials, like the Director, Directorate of Technologists and Technical Staff (DITTECS), Dr Wunmi Abimbola-Okuneye; Prof. Kayode Bamgbose; President, FUNAAB Odeda-Farmers’ Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited, Mr. Ayorinde Isaiah and the Managing Director, Nourished Foods Ltd, Mr. Olabode Orolu, among others.

Meanwhile the launch recorded robust sales, an indication of growing market confidence in the University’s agribusiness model.