Last Updated on June 23, 2025 by Olasunkanmi Olajide

… As Two-Year Master’s Programme in Agroecology Set to Commence

By Femi Dansu

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has taken a major step toward promoting sustainable agriculture with the hosting of a One-Day Workshop and Training on Hydroponic Technology, under the European Union-supported AGRECOFARM Project.

The event, held in partnership with nine other institutions with six from West Africa and four from Europe, was part of efforts to develop a comprehensive Two-year Master’s Degree Programme in Agroecology. The training targeted Academic Staff, students, and Agricultural Extension professionals, with a focus on soilless farming systems and vocational education.

Delivering a keynote presentation, the Managing Director and Global Team Lead of BIC Farms, Mr. Adewale Onafowora, emphasised the significance of the initiative in helping Africa feed both itself and the world. He introduced participants to the concept of Soilless Farming and Hydroponic Technology, which he noted has been adapted and made commercially viable for the Nigerian agricultural landscape.

In his address, the FUNAAB Team Lead for the AGRECOFARM Project, Prof. Adewale Dipeolu, explained that the Two-year Master’s Programme would have flexible curricula tailored to the interests of the participating universities. At FUNAAB, the programme would feature vocational education training modules for farmers, technicians, and graduates with a specialisation in Agroecology. As part of the implementation, the AGRECOFARM Project has established a Greenhouse under its Agroecology Lab, which would serve both training and research purposes.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment (CEADESE), Prof. Adeboye Fafiolu, lauded the initiative as a timely and impactful development. He reaffirmed FUNAAB’s commitment to the project and highlighted the value of CEADESE’s international accreditation, which enabled global credit transfer for students in the new programme.

It would be recalled that AGRECOFARM Project held a Transformative Stakeholder Workshop for key players in December 2024.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Mufutau Atayese, including a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Morenike Dipeolu, alongside other senior University officials.