Niger-Delta: RBDA boss calls for collaboration with colleges of agriculture

Chairman Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority (NDRBDA) Chief Bosin Boi Ebikeme, has called for a close collaboration between River Basin Authorities and the Colleges of Agriculture and other related disciplines in Nigeria for improved technology to boost food production in the country.

Speaking at the 69th Regular General Meeting, National Committee of Heads of Colleges of Agriculture and Related Discipline (NACHCARD) held at the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology Vom-Jos, Plateau State, Ebikeme  said the synergy becomes imperative to ensure food security.

He emphasised that Nigeria is endowed with arable land to develop a variety  of crops and so has no reason to experience food shortages adding that the country should be able to feed it’s people if all available resources are fully harnessed and given deserved priority.

Chief Ebikeme who tasked heads of Colleges of Agriculture to support the federal government renewed hope agenda in the agriculture sector stated that they have important role to play in meeting the nation’s food concerns.

“Colleges of Agriculture have a vital role to play in this regard, as the heads of these institutions, you must do everything possible to upscale your activities towards food sufficiency in the country because part of the renewed hope agenda of this administration is food sufficiency. Priority should be placed on this before we think of any other activities.

“Since achieving good sufficiency is key component of this administration’s renewed hope agenda,colleges of agriculture have a crucial role to play in this respect. As leaders of these colleges you mustn’t make every effort to advance your efforts in this direction.Tbis should come first before considering any other activity.

“Students should also engage in farming activities because that is their primary mandate. Also, colleges should consider forming a relationship or synergy with the River Basin Authority close to them towards boosting agriculture and livestock production.

“So, if there is a synergy, it will aid in updating data and techniques to ensure food production in the country. While one is saddled with training and other is engaged in practical aspect, we will be able to bring our agricultural practices up to date”

Chief Ebikeme tasked graduates from the colleges agriculture to be proud of going  into farming since it us their primary responsibility rather than searching for unobtainable white-collar employment.

In his opening remark, the chairman National Committee of Heads of Colleges of Agriculture and Related Discipline (NACHCARD) Dr. Chukwu Chukwu said the purpose of the meeting was to come together to enhance research, innovation and production in Colleges of Agriculture and other related disciplines.

Dr. Chukwu said the committee is aware of the enormous challenges confronting the agricultural sector in the country and working assiduously within it’s capacity for proffer solution.

He said the Grain storage research institute in Ilorin is doing  a fantastic work when it comes to issue of food storage, but because the country is so large, there’s the need to utilise their research efforts and establish more storage facilities throughout the country.

Dr. Chukwu advocated for small scale farming by Nigerians, saying “We are not only talking about large scale agriculture. There are so many things we can do. We are talking about regeneration agriculture.

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