ABU to fully engage in commercial agriculture next farming season – Vice-Chancellor
Ahmadu Bello University would fully engage in commercial agriculture on its 363 hectares of arable lands next farming season, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabir Bala, disclosed in Zaria today.
“Let me reiterate that from the next farming season, we are going to cultivate all ABU farms 100 percent for commercial purposes. Our farms must give us the food we eat. We must set the example”, he said.
Speaking when he received a delegation from Federal University, Dutsinma (FUDMA) for collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University on agriculture and security, the Vice-Chancellor stressed that ABU had to set the example as an institution with big agricultural infrastructure.
Prof. Bala explained that the University would after the end of this year’s farming season take over all its farmlands allocated to staff and outsiders for farming every year.
The Vice-Chancellor also said agriculture remained the strength of Ahmadu Bello University which has a huge agric complex comparable to any other in the world, saying researchers at the complex would be encouraged to take up the challenge of ensuring food sufficiency in the country.
Explaining the role the University had been playing in the country’s agricultural development, Prof. Bala recalled that FAO had once recommended the ABU agric model for other countries.
The University, according to him, would arrange a short training programme on commercial farming in South Africa for some researchers from the agric complex.
ALSO READ: ABU Agric complex capable of transforming Nigeria’s economy
He said the University agric researchers must buckle up in their search for more yields, saying that nothing should stop the institution from producing more than 100 bags of produce in a hectare as was the case in many developing nations.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Prof. Aminu Dalha Kankiya, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for the decision by Ahmadu Bello University to give all the necessary support to Federal University, Dutsinma.
Those present to assist the Vice-Chancellor in receiving the delegation from FUDMA were Director, Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Mohammed Ibrahim Sule; Deputy Director, Learner Support Services, Distance Learning Centre, Dr. Usman Abubakar; and Ag. Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Malam Auwalu Umar.
For Advert Placement, Sponsorship, support, Article submission, suggestion, etc, Contact us: info@theabusites.com, +2349015751816 (WhatsApp)
