VC Asks FG To Engage Agricultural Varsities In Food Security Planning

The vice chancellor of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Professor Isaac Nathaniel Itodo, has called for the integration of agricultural universities to be part of the policy-making instrument of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (FMA) and Food Security (FS) planning process.

Addressing the 9th Council of the University, formerly known as Federal University of Agriculture, during its inaugural meeting, Itodo also suggested that the vice chancellors of universities should be involved in Nigeria’s bilateral relationships with international communities on matters pertaining to agriculture.

He said, “The JOSTUM, like the other universities of agriculture, should be a part and parcel of the policy making instrument of the FMA and FS, participating in her policy enactment, review and delivery among others.

“Now more than ever, the time has come to commission a study to determine the perception of the various stakeholders on the existence or otherwise of the universities of agriculture in Nigeria. What does the FMA and FS, small holder farmers, national and international agricultural funding agencies, national and international research institutions and many others think of the universities of agriculture want?

“Their perceptions will help re-define the roles of the universities of agriculture that will wholesomely visit a full-scale restructuring of these universities,” the vice chancellor said.

He further noted that the university must, as a matter of urgency, commence a Research and Innovation week, which should be an annual event of all Universities of Agriculture.

This, according to him, will help showcase the innovation developed by the university to the relevant end-users and get their feedback.

“A salient aspect of this event will be an interactive seminar between the innovators and the farmers. Also, there must be a field demonstration of these agricultural innovations,” he added.

He assured the Council of his continued openness in running the university and the frugal management of intangible resources, while soliciting the prayer and cooperation of the Council.