…As MOUAU begins harvest of fruits from orchard
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Director of Agribusiness Incubation Centre (ABIC), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Dr Philips Nto, has commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for its support for commercial agriculture in Nigerian universities.
He said the gesture apart from actualizing the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in agriculture and food security will also create employment for the youths.
Dr Nto spoke at Umudike as ABIC commenced the maiden harvest of fruits from its pineapple orchard, which the centre planted for commercial purposes.
He noted that the current Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Arch Sonny Echono, initiated the idea of commercialization of agriculture in universities, describing it as a game changer.
According to him, Echono has made it possible for such universities to realize their potential in assisting the government in its goal of achieving food security in Nigeria.
The Director noted that arising from discussion with the TETFUND boss during a courtesy visit, ABIC, MOUAU has developed many programmes aimed at benefitting both the students and the host communities.
Dr Nto who is a former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Abia State disclosed that the centre will provide the hub for production of fruit crops that will supply same to agric processing companies for proper value addition.
While commending Echono for taking serious interest in agricultural education in tertiary education, Dr Nto who is the immediate past Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu, requested him to support ABIC, MOUAU to sustain its current activities.
He called on NELFUND management to follow the footsteps of TETFUND by granting full and unconditional scholarships to students of agriculture in all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
He also canvassed the setting up by the Federal Government of an agency for medium and small-scale agriculture to provide start off capital for graduates of agriculture.
He said such measures would create jobs and reduce unemployment as well as encourage our youths to embrace agriculture.
Dr Nto expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor of MOUAU, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, for providing land and resources for the pineapple orchard, which its harvest and sales are currently ongoing.
