FCA, Ibadan commission's organic market for agricultural growth

• Published date: 15 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

The Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan has commissioned a standard organic market as part of activities marking the 101st anniversary of the college.

A set of auto-irrigated greenhouses, Information and Communications Technology building, audio-visual building, classrooms and an office complex newly constructed by the current administration and ready for use were also commissioned.

Commissioning the market, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, who was represented by the Southwest Zonal Director of the ministry, Mrs. Omolara Abimbola-Oguntuyi, pointed out the importance of organic produce to include sound health, long shelf life and excellent organoleptic perception, encouraging the Moor community to maximise the opportunity of the markets.

She appreciated the permanent secretary and Minister for their efforts towards the growth and development of the FCA, Ibadan and other institutions in the ministry. She commended the college on her rapid, geometric growth in the last 3 to 4 years, adding that with the rate of development evident in the college, the school will soon metamorphose into a university. She therefore solicited the support of staff and students of the college towards a continued growth.

The College Provost, Dr. E. O. Augustus, reiterated that establishing the organic market becomes imperative to create a means by which the public can regularly access organic products generated in the FCA, Ibadan organic farm, which is premised on the interest of her administration.

On the anniversary, she said it was a celebration of 101 years of producing well trained agricultural manpower; providing solutions to Nigeria's agricultural challenges through excellent extension services, as well as offering...