Government, deans of agric to establish incubator centres in varsities

The Association of Deans of Agriculture in Nigeria (ADAN) is partnering with the Federal ministry of Agriculture to establish incubation centers across faculties of agriculture in Nigeria.

Chairperson of the Association, Professor Folusho David Abraham disclosed the plan while speaking on the 62nd Annual conference of the association, which took place in Kano.

Prof Abraham explained that the idea of establishing incubation centers in faculties of agriculture was initiated to provide veritable avenue for practical training of agricultural entrepreneurship for the students.

The chairperson who decried lack of evidence-based training facilitates in Nigerian universities, a development she insisted was responsible for dearth of professional farmers in agricultural business.

Already, Prof Abraham hinted that plan had been concluded for the review of academic curriculum from basic theory to reflect practical orientation.

According to her: “Inauguration of the first set of five benefiting faculties will take place before the end of the year and additional four faculties have already being selected.

The benefiting faculties are universities of Ibadan, Maiduguri, Bayero University, Eboyin State University, Katina State University and Federal university, Jigawa.”

Prof Folusho said the 62nd annual conference with theme ‘Stimulating local agricultural production towards food security in Nigeria’ would focus on accessibility and affordability of local production.

She pointed out that emphasis would also aim at fish farming and animal nutrition, private sector driven on improved technology, biotechnology and the attention challenges of improved seed.

Source: Guardian