To enhance agricultural education and production, Kamrum Integrated Farms has announced plans to collaborate with the School of Agricultural Technology, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Samaru Kataf.
The Chief Executive Officer of Kamrum Farms, Mr Rijo Shekari, disclosed this on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the school’s management in Samaru Kataf, Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He explained that the partnership aims to revitalise the underutilised institution and equip students with modern agricultural skills.
Shekari emphasised the importance of collaboration between private-sector investors and academic institutions, especially in light of the ongoing global agricultural revolution.
He highlighted the farm’s efforts in crossbreeding cows to improve livestock productivity. He expressed confidence in attracting international investment, particularly from a Brazilian company set to invest in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“Our goal is to bring modern farming techniques to the institution and equip students with the skills needed to thrive in today’s agricultural industry,” Shekari stated. “This partnership will improve the school’s capacity and open doors for more students to benefit from quality agricultural education.”
Shekari added that Kamrum Farms has already awarded full scholarships to nine students at the University of Jos in a show of commitment to education.
Furthermore, the farm aims to assist the School of Agriculture in acquiring advanced knowledge and technology, which could help reposition it as a Faculty of Agriculture.
In his response, the school’s Director, Dr. Thomas Kanai Emmanuel, welcomed the proposed partnership and expressed the institution’s willingness to work with Kamrum Farms.
He noted that the school faces challenges such as poor funding, declining student enrollment, and outdated farming techniques.
Dr Emmanuel lamented that the institution was originally established as a farm training centre, along with three other similar institutions across Nigeria, all of which have since been converted into federal universities.
He further revealed that student enrollment has dropped significantly, with only 53 students currently registered.
He attributed this decline to high tuition fees introduced by the previous Kaduna State administration under former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and inconsistencies in the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) admission requirements.
Despite offering specialised courses in Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Technology, Crop Production, Animal Production, and Agricultural Extension and Management, the school has struggled to attract students.
With the promise of improved funding, enhanced training, and stronger industry-academia collaboration, the partnership between Kamrum Farms and Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic’s School of Agriculture could begin a new era for agricultural education in Kaduna State.
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