By Editor
The rave making Federal University of Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) is in the news again for all the right reasons.
Rising from a humble background in 2011 into one of Nigeria’s fastest growing citadels of learning, FUOYE is a study in exemplary leadership as well as intentional commitment to growth and innovation in line with 21st century reality.
The phenomenal growth of this multi-campus institution is a testament to the unwavering efforts, shared determination and visionary templates laid by the founding fathers of the university.
Although not originally founded as a specialized university, but through creativity, foresight and clear vision, FUOYE has been able to cut a nitche for itself in the area of agressive green revolution drive geared towards achieving a remarkable feat towards boosting food production and sufficiency in Nigeria through agriculture.
Under the leadership of hardworking and astute administrator, Prof Abayomi Sunday Fasina, FUOYE has clearly taken the lead amongst other Nigerian Universities in shaping the country’s future as one of the university’s stand-out projects– The Green Revolution project is contributing immensely to the country’s food production efforts.
Indeed, the Green Revolution project of FUOYE is a novel initiative whose underlining motive is to give agriculture a pride of place in the university’s vision of advancing food security and self sufficiency focussing on modern agricultural techniques and skills.
A visit to Ikole-Ekiti campus of the institution where Faculty of Agric is situated reveals how initiative ideas and creativity is helping to drive Federal Government’s policy on food production and sufficiency in Nigeria.
Prof Fasina, a renowned soil scientist has been able to put his professional acumen to bear in making FUOYE a reference point in the field of modern agriculture for sustainable growth in food production while working in tandem with seasoned agriculturists such as Prof. Olusegun Adeyemi, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Prof Olubunmi Shittu amongst other support staff.
One of the visible eye popping farmlands at FUOYE is the two hectares impressive cashew plantation managed by the school.
A major export earner for the country, Nigeria ranks as the sixth largest producer of cashew in the world and third in Africa with annual production of between 200, 000 and 240,000 metric tons.
Dr. Tunde Oshundare, the university’s Farm Manager however, emphasized that there’s still much work to be done in the area of value addition and Processing to maximize the economic potential of cashew production.
Surprisingly,, the students were not left behind as their active involvement in farming process remains central to the university’s robust agric program which ensures that students take responsibility in farming activities where they learn to nurture and help to raise hundreds of seedlings.
Amid the global climate change, the university has put in place a world-class agrometerological Garden through the Department of Water Resources which explains the role that weather station plays in guiding the university’s farming activities.
Notable hi-tech equipment within the Garden includes: automatic weather station, rain gauge, digital swell thermometer, wind vane, sunshine recorder, amongst others all contributing to more efficient and data-driven practice.
Another mind boggling discovery at the university’s farm is the Oil Palm plantation sitting atop about 17.5 hectares. Through the active involvement of the students, the plantation produces high quality palm oil often referred to as ‘red gold’.
The FUOYE Fish Farm is another attractive sector of the university’s Agric Masterplan under Dr Oluwatosin Tope-Jegede, Head Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. It was gathered that fish farming is another significant component of the university’s food security plans which encouraged teaching students about the varieties of systems to ensure that they are well equipped to become agripreneurs after graduation
The fidh Farm also features a fish processing and value addition hub which include a smokin klnn.
Responding, Prof Fasina urged students to embrace the culture of gaining practical experience.
His words: ” If students can go through these trainings and develop ideas, interest and passion, basically when you leave the university, you won’t want to work with anybody. I’ve seen the kiln where the fish are being processed. If you study Agriculture or Fishery, I don’t think after you finished in the university, you would like to work under anybody”. He noted
Animal husbandry is another layer of the university’s Agric revolution project focusing on cattle breeding especially the white Fulani breed which is one of the most prized breed in the country.
The farm is managed by Mr Adeola Akuobi, who highlighted how students from Animal Production and Health Department gained first-hand experience in caring for cattle.
It would be recalled that in July 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development aiming to resolve the long standing feud between herders and farmers over access to land and water.
It was in recognition of this policy that the Vice Chancellor, Prof Fasina affirmed keying in to the laudable program of the Federal Government through the institution’s ambitious agric revolution drive.
The story of FUOYE all-round green revolution for sustainable sufficiency in food production is not complete without mentioning the pen housing all categories of livestock animals such as piggery, geese, chicks, broilers from the poultry farm culminating in selling of poultry products at subsidized rates.
Without much ado, the Federal University of Oye Ekiti is on the right part of creating an enabling environment not only to shaping the future of Nigeria’s agric sector, but to raise a generation of young Nigerians desirous to ensure a sustainable improvement in food security and sufficiency.
