By Stella Odueme
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde, has identified agricultural colleges and institutions as critical drivers of food security, economic diversification and job creation, urging greater investment and stronger collaboration to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Speaking at the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week and 10th FARA General Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja, Professor Kehinde said agricultural institutions have evolved beyond teaching centres into innovation ecosystems, enterprise development hubs and community transformation platforms capable of addressing Nigeria’s food and economic challenges.
Delivering a presentation titled “Success Stories of Agricultural Innovations by Agricultural Colleges and Institutions,” the Vice-Chancellor noted that despite agriculture employing over 35 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce and contributing significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the sector continues to face challenges including low productivity, post-harvest losses, climate variability and limited mechanisation.
He described the summit as a strategic platform for aligning government policies, research and industry to accelerate agricultural transformation and national economic resilience.
According to him, innovation and collaboration remain the twin pillars for transforming agriculture from subsistence farming into a competitive, enterprise-driven sector.
Professor Kehinde said agricultural institutions are advancing innovation through improved seed systems, mechanisation technologies, digital agriculture, climate-smart farming practices and agro-processing, while partnerships with government, industry and development organisations have strengthened research, technology transfer and policy implementation.
Highlighting FUNAAB’s contributions, he said the university operates an integrated model built around teaching, research, extension services and enterprise development to ensure innovations move from laboratories to farms and eventually to the marketplace.
He disclosed that the university has developed drought-resistant crop varieties, improved irrigation systems and soil conservation technologies that have increased crop yields by between 25 and 40 per cent in pilot farming communities while improving farmers’ resilience to climate change.
Professor Kehinde also showcased the university’s achievements in agro-processing, including the production of odourless fufu, cassava bread, garri, starch, ethanol, honey, cashew products and finely brewed palm wine through its Integrated Ventures, adding that the innovations have reduced post-harvest losses, extended product shelf life and supported the growth of agro-based small and medium enterprises.
On youth empowerment, he said FUNAAB’s agripreneurship programmes, farm practical year scheme, agribusiness incubation initiatives and partnership with the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) have equipped hundreds of young graduates with entrepreneurial skills, leading to the establishment of youth-led agribusinesses and reducing graduate unemployment.
The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted breakthroughs in biotechnology, including improved crop genetics, pest-resistant varieties and soil fertility innovations aimed at enhancing food security, reducing dependence on food imports and promoting sustainable agriculture.
He noted that the university’s extension services have reached thousands of farmers through demonstration farms, advisory services and farmer field schools, accelerating the adoption of modern farming practices and improving rural livelihoods.
Professor Kehinde cited the university’s cassava value chain intervention as one of its major success stories, revealing that farmers who adopted FUNAAB’s processing technologies recorded income increases of up to 60 per cent while gaining access to wider markets.
He also identified digital agriculture as an emerging frontier, noting that mobile advisory platforms, precision farming technologies and data-driven farm management systems are improving efficiency, transparency and market access across the agricultural value chain.
The Vice-Chancellor attributed the institution’s achievements to strong partnerships with research institutes, private sector organisations, government agencies and international development partners, adding that public-private partnerships have facilitated technology commercialisation, infrastructure development and investment mobilisation.
Aligning the university’s activities with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Professor Kehinde said agricultural institutions will play a central role in achieving national food security, creating jobs for millions of Nigerians, promoting economic diversification and driving industrial growth.
Despite the successes, he identified inadequate funding, weak industry linkages, limited access to finance for young entrepreneurs and policy inconsistencies as major constraints limiting the impact of agricultural institutions.
He called for increased investment in agricultural research and infrastructure, stronger commercialisation frameworks, dedicated financing mechanisms for young agripreneurs and sustained policy support to enable agricultural institutions contribute more effectively to national development.
Professor Kehinde urged the Senate Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions to continue providing legislative backing, budgetary support and effective oversight to strengthen agricultural education and innovation.
He expressed optimism that with sustained investment, digital transformation, biotechnology and stronger partnerships, Nigeria could build a technology-driven agricultural sector where young people embrace farming as a profitable career, food security is guaranteed and agricultural exports become globally competitive.
“The success stories we celebrate today are not endpoints; they are foundations. Our task is to scale these achievements, institutionalise innovation and ensure agriculture becomes the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic future,” he said.
