… Expresses Readiness to Contribute to Food Security
By Emeka Oluka & Joy Adeyiga
In an outstanding move towards bolstering food security in Nigeria, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), is actively pursuing a strategic partnership with HarvestField Industries (HFI) Limited.
The groundwork for the collaboration was laid during a Courtesy Call by the HFI team on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde in his Office today, February 5, 2024.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde (Left) addressing the CEO, HFI Ltd, Mr. Martins Awofisayo (Right) and the COO, HFI Ltd, Dr. Abdullahi Ndarubu, while the Ag. Director, DUFARMS, Mr. Emmanuel Bankole (2nd Left), and Mr. Olufisayo Amubode listen with rapt attention
Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, while welcoming the HFI delegation, conveyed the University’s eagerness to join forces with the private sector, particularly with a distinguished entity like HFI.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by limited funds, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised FUNAAB’s commitment to contributing significantly to the enhancement of food security in the country.
He highlighted the multifaceted benefits of the proposed partnership, noting that it would not only boost food production but also provide students with hands-on experience in practical agriculture, complementing their theoretical studies.
During the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), HFI Limited, Mr. Martins Awofisayo articulated the purpose of their visit, saying that HFI affirmed FUNAAB as an enthusiastic partner in the realm of crop production, and a key player in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural revolution.
Mr. Awofisayo underscored HFI’s dedication in collaborating with FUNAAB to showcase Nigeria’s potential for improved crop production, adding that the proposed partnership was aimed to leverage FUNAAB’s untapped land for food production, not only benefiting the University but also making a substantial contribution to Nigeria’s food security, with potential for export.
Besides, Mr. Awofisayo assured FUNAAB of HFI’s unwavering commitment to the success of the groundbreaking partnership, emphasising the vision of utilising the University land for agricultural purposes, and considering it a mutually-beneficial venture that could serve as a template for future collaborations.
Ag. Director, DUFARMS, Mr. Emmanuel Bankole, and Mr. Olufisayo Amubode with the HFI team on field Inspection
The HFI CEO further outlined the long-term goals of the collaboration, stressing the importance of standardisation in seed selection and assessment.
Corroborating the CEO, the Chief Operating Officer (COO), HFI, Dr. Abdullahi Ndarubu agreed that FUNAAB was an ideal starting point for implementing such standardised practices, setting the stage for an innovative and impactful partnership between a private company and a university in the agricultural landscape.
As both entities express their readiness to embark on this collaborative journey, the FUNAAB-HFI partnership holds promise not only for enhanced food security in Nigeria but also for fostering a new paradigm in agricultural practices and education.
Present at the meeting were the Ag. Director, Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), Mr. Emmanuel Bankole; immediate Past Director, Directorate of Internal Audit, Mr. Olufisayo Amubode, and Mr. Buko Kolajo.
