AKURE, ONDO STATE — The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has announced a strategic shift toward technology-driven agricultural production, aimed at addressing Nigeria’s escalating food insecurity.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adenike Oladiji confirmed the initiative during a site inspection of ongoing campus projects on Friday, emphasizing that the university is leveraging its core competencies in engineering and science to modernize agricultural practices.
Expanding Agricultural Infrastructure
With support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the university is scaling up its production capacity across several value chains. A key focus is the revitalization and expansion of the university's poultry project:
Production Growth: The facility has scaled significantly, moving from an initial 150 birds to a capacity of 1,000, with an additional 4,500 birds currently being integrated.
Value Addition: FUTA has transitioned from raw crop sales to a sophisticated value-driven model. By establishing an on-campus feed mill, the university now processes its own maize to produce specialized feed for layers, broilers, turkeys, and fish.
Technology and Innovation
The university is also integrating modern farming techniques to ensure consistent output, regardless of seasonal limitations:
Greenhouse Farming: FUTA has deployed locally fabricated greenhouses to facilitate year-round production of high-value crops, such as bell peppers.
Student Training: These facilities serve as experiential learning centers, where students are trained in both scientific agricultural production and industrial value addition, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical economic output.
Improving Campus Infrastructure
Beyond agricultural expansion, the university is enhancing its capacity to host international research and academic collaborations. Prof. Oladiji highlighted the completion of a dedicated accommodation facility designed to host visiting researchers, international scholars, and accreditation teams, ensuring the institution remains a global hub for academic exchange.
During the inspection, the Vice-Chancellor reviewed several other critical facilities, including new hostel blocks, advanced research laboratories, and museum infrastructure, all aimed at bolstering FUTA’s standing as a leading technology-focused institution in Nigeria.
