INTRODUCTION:
The significant role higher institutions of learning could play to enhance sustainable food security, more so by the deployment of modern technology cannot be over emphasized. Gone are the days of rural farming practices using hoes and cutlasses with the farm produce left vulnerable to attacks by all manner of pests, insects and rodents. A worse scenario comes about when farming is carried out in some less fertile fields, challenged by climate change disasters of flooding and desertification, further leading to low productivity.
That is where the unique and impact-making innovation of the legacy administration of Professor. J. O. Ojediran, the Vice-Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, Ota comes in. For the records, the citadel of knowledge is the premier university of technology in Nigeria.
Worthy of note was the establishment of the Centre for Agricultural Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies (CATES) by the visionary V.C. with Dr. J. A. Daramola, a seasoned professional in the field of modern agricultural practices as the pioneer Acting Director.
But before we go into that, let us take a retrospective look with regards to government’s intervention in agriculture over the decades. Indeed, there have been programs such as the National Accelerated Food Production Programme (NAFPP), the Operation Feed The Nation (OFN) came in 1976 followed by the Green Revolution (GR) back in 1979.
Similarly, subsequent ones have come under the National Land Development Authority, (NALDA), the River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) and the Directorate of Food, Road And Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI). Later came
the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme under former President Goodluck Jonathan through his Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwunmi Adesina. But that was replaced with the Agricultural Implements and Mechanisation Services (AIMS) during the outgoing administration, that also had the CBN-driven Anchors Borrowers Scheme.
The effects these programs have had on the food security situation and by extension the Human Development Index of Nigerians is left for the experts to judge. The country has a total agricultural area of 70.8 million hectares, of which 34 million hectares are arable land, 6.5 million hectares are used for permanent crops, and 30.3 million hectares are meadows and pastures.
Generally, the agricultural sector in Nigeria comprises four sub-sectors: crop production, livestock, forestry, and fishing. It should be noted that in the third quarter of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector grew by 14.88% year-on-year.
CATES-BELLSTECH, OTA
It is important therefore, to take an in-depth look at the CATES Project as brought into being in BELLSTECH in that historical year of 2019 as well as the impact it has made so far.
To do justice to that Dr. J. A. Daramola sheds brighter light, as the pioneer Acting Director. According to him, the Centre is in fulfilment of the vision of the University, through the Chief Promoter. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, (Ph.D ) whose passion to take agriculture and entrepreneurship to the next level in higher education is not in doubt. Since the establishment of CATES, many Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) have been signed as with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Rome Business School, Lagos and many record activities have been undertaken and are being done;.
THE STRIDES:
These include the take-off of the vegetable farm in partnership with Vamiyes Vineyard Agric. Company. The MOU was signed as the farm was positioned to produce different vegetables to local and international markets. There is also the Pilot plots of Maize farm which was started on a section of the free land space on campus and two rounds of planting and harvest have been carried out.
Let us take a sectorial look at the farm.
CATES-BELLSTECH MAIZE FARM
This is a one-hectare irrigated Plantain farm, supervised by Hydromart Integrated Limited established within Obasanjo Farm, Ota and funded by the University. The MOU had been signed and plantain/suckers are already being sold to recoup the investment. It is planned that in the nearest future, plantain flour and chips will be produced from the farm.
SAMPLES OF PLANTAIN ON SALE
Through the partnership between CATES and Bells Consult Limited, plastic tanks were purchased for pilot fish rearing on campus for training, research and commercial purposes. The first cycle of fish culture as well as the harvest have been concluded.
CATES continued to support Bells Entrepreneurship Club (BEC) with interested students across the various Colleges to stimulate, encourage other students for self-reliance.
In addition, the Centre is looking forward to work with BUSA on La festival, Fashion show and also liaising with BUPF for grants to start-ups and innovators. The development of the food order app by a group of students is highly commended.
The visit to Bells University by the Representatives of Solis/Sonalika Agricultural Equipment Company from India on Wednesday, 24th November, 2021 was remarkable. They came for possible collaboration in the marketing and maintenance of tractors for farming activities.
With regards to promotion its activities, the Ag. Director, CATES featured twice and advertised the Centre on Entrepreneurship Radio (105.5 FM) located in Lagos. And to further its noble vision CATES’ representatives and few members of the Bells Entrepreneurship Club (BEC) participated in the Entrepreneurship day at other private University.
Similarly, CATES in partnership with Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos enrolled Nigeria Youths on the Mastercard Foundation 3- months training for Start-up support programme.
In addition, the SMEDAN programme “TINEDEP’’ is being followed for the training inclusion of Entrepreneurship Educators in Bells University. The Horticulture Garden was just reactivated and plans are in top gear to fully harness the Palm trees on campus together with Greenhouse.
Another landmark achievement goes with the actualisation of the dream of the Promoter, as CATES is giving birth to the College of Food, Agricultural Science and Technology (COLFAST) with the Department of Food Science Technology and Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology. These are in addition to the Department of Agricultural and Bio Resources Engineering. The National University Commission (NUC) recently visited the University to inspect the facilities, and personnel. For now expectations are high as the approval is being awaited to kick off the College, hopefully in 2023/2024 academic season.
The Proposed Activities and Programmes include Agro-Shop at the Concourse business arena, the expansion of the existing partnership with Obasanjo Farm of Nigeria, Ota on Plantain, Cassava, fish and Mushroom; leveraging on expertise of IITA, World fish, Nigeria and FIIRO.
Also coming up are the Boot camp between Bells University of Technology, Ota (and Obasanjo Farm, Ota) with Rome Business School, Lagos for a 2-day Executive Training of their Master Students in Agribusiness in Poultry Technology in Ota, and the Entrepreneurship building (Administrative, training hub for students, show room, I.T. unit, Conference/Classrooms).
The raising of rats and feeds, essentially to meet the need of students in Biochemistry for research, as well as the repair of Pen for Snail farming in Bells University of Technology, Ota with Digital Training and Entrepreneurship Roundtable and exhibition/fair are top on the agenda.
With regards to proposed Seminars and Workshops there pans for topical issues such as: Raising Young Entrepreneurs for National Development, Source of funding for Entrepreneurs and Farmers and Seeing Entrepreneurship in every discipline.
Not left out of the thematically relevant matters are: Challenges and Solutions to Agricultural problems in Nigeria, How Profitable is the Vegetable market, the act of Plantain Farming and Growing Improved Cassava tubers and different Cassava products.
These noble strides should be sustained even as we urge similar institutions to borrow a fresh leaf from BELLSTECH to make the difference, we all seek from our leaders.
– Baje is a public commentator and analyst