The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has reinstated its commitment to facilitate solution to agriculture, overcome hunger, poverty and unemployment for the youths and teeming graduates.
Giving the assurance was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Professor Lateef Sanni, at the 2017/2018 Orientation Programme for the Farm Practical Year Students. His words “I want to assure you that the University will be committed to her mission in offering the best in practical training.
Represented by the Director, Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC), Professor Dorcas Adegbite, Professor Sanni disclosed the intention of the University to assist the Community Based-Farming Scheme (COBFAS) to serve as a voice to the youths, especially graduates; and echo into their ears the need to get involved in agriculture, so that food insecurity and unemployment can be reduced or totally eradicated in Nigeria.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) added that Farm Practical Year is meant to expose students to real life situations and experiences in farming communities; to complement the various classroom teachings and trainings they must have had in different aspects of agriculture as well as, expose students to rural integration and the required lifestyles expected of the students while interacting with members of the various communities.
In his presentation, the Director, COBFAS, Professor Emmanuel Fakoya said the students’ groups are divided into four different divisions representing the four geo-political zones in Ogun State namely Isaga-Orile, Iwoye Ketu, Ode-Lemo and Odogbolu. He added that the Centre trains Bachelor of Agriculture (B. Agric) students in 13 departments from the College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD); College of Animal Science and Livestock Production (COLANIM) and College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT).
Professor Fakoya disclosed that in order to ensure that Farm Practical Year Students are exposed to agricultural enterprises, the programme has been divided into two components of Community-Based and Campus-Based.
He listed the community-based activities to include Horticulture, Cassava Production and Agricultural Extension Services while the Campus-Based activities are Livestock Production, Plantation Crop Production Techniques; Rain-fed Maize Production; Farm Mechanization and Workshop Production, as well as Agrometereology/Climatology, disclosing that the students will be examined after the 9 months duration.
Speaking in her capacity as the Director, AMREC, Professor Adegbite said the Centre will work in collaboration with Community Based Farming Scheme (COBFAS) to establish one hectare of demonstration farm in each COBFAS Community.
She also affirmed working with development partners like Cassava: Adding Value for Africa (C:AVA) and Africa Cassava Agronomy Initiative (ACAI) to facilitate their training in the communities, particularly in the area of Cassava Production.
Professor Adegbite who assured the students that they will be trained on weed management with the support of International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation advised them to utilize the opportunity by being diligent and industrious.
