The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and the Management of First Bite Foods Ltd. (FBFL) are ready to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeking to proffer solutions to challenges that First Bite Foods face in the procurement of some production inputs, which could be developed by FUNAAB, rather than relying on importation.

According to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of FBFL, Mr. Olaseni Salako, the possible areas of collaboration include the purchase of Clarias juveniles by FBFL, purchase of chilled beef quarters, live broilers and grains (Maize and Soya).

Others are engaging in joint ventures, in which FBFL’s objective of rendering advisory and guidance services could be achieved.

Mr. Salako said the venture to be established should be insulated from the normal University administration, adding that it should be run solely as a commercial venture, driven by profit.

He presented a slide exhibiting the prowess of the company as quality oriented and professionally inclined, emphasizing excellence in their conduct of business.

“Our target audience is Quick Service Restaurants because we are bulk producers”, he noted.

Also speaking during the meeting, the Chairman of the Company, Mr. Folu Ayeni, observed that farmers have a lot of needs, tasking FUNAAB to study such and then design projects to meet them.

He said a Town and Gown Forum should be established whereby ideas for research would be exchanged, facilitating the initiative that could bridge the gap between the academia and the industry.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole said that part of the reasons for the trip was to ascertain what the University ought to be doing and is not.

He recalled his activities with students about 20 years ago, when he was the