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BY ABU-SATAR HAMED
IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA – The Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan (FCAIB), Professor Jonathan J. Atungwu, has underscored the College’s enduring national and regional contributions to agricultural development in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
According to a release e-signed and made available to StarTrend Int’l Magazine by the Head of the College’s Media and Communication Department, Mrs. Wilson Oyekemi, Professor Atungwu made this known while officially opening a Sensitization Workshop on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for farmers.
The workshop focused on youth and young women inclusivity, rice and fish value chains, and integrated rice – fish production systems.
The programme, organised in collaboration with international partners, brought together farmers, students, community leaders, as well as representatives of local and state governments, creating a broad platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building.
While acknowledging the College’s rich legacy since its establishment in 1921, Professor Atungwu highlighted FCAIB’s far-reaching impact across Nigeria and beyond.
He also provided operational guidance on attendance, registration and benefit collection procedures, stressing the need for participants to remain actively engaged throughout the training to maximise its benefits.
The workshop, successfully hosted by the College, attracted participants from various communities across Oyo State, including FCAIB’s host communities of Bora and Adabeji.
The initiative formed part of a collaborative effort by the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, in partnership with FCAIB, and in collaboration with the TAGDEV 2.0 Programme of the University of Port Harcourt.
The programme received support from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Themed, “Strengthening Farmers’ Capacity on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Rice, Fish and Integrated Rice-Fish Production in Ogun State, Nigeria, to Enable Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices and Entrepreneurship”, the workshop aimed at equipping farmers with practical knowledge and skills for climate-smart agriculture and agribusiness development.
A goodwill message was delivered on behalf of the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Sharafedeen A. Alli, by Hon. Idris Agboola, Comrade Gbenga Eligbede and Mr. Samson Omoboye.
They expressed strong support for the initiative, commended its emphasis on youth and gender inclusivity, and encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained for sustainable community development.
The first technical session was delivered by Dr. Adebayo Adeniran, who spoke on youth and gender inclusion as critical drivers of rural development.
He described agriculture as fundamental to life, stressing that proper nutrition and access to agricultural resources are essential for healthy and productive communities.
Dr. Adeniran called for deliberate empowerment of women and young people in rural areas, advocating equitable access to resources, technology and decision-making platforms.
According to him, inclusive growth ensures that men, women and youth actively contribute to community development.
Mr. Usman Mikaheel followed with an extensive presentation on Digital and Innovative Fish Farming. He highlighted smart feeding systems, remote monitoring technologies and precision aquaculture practices, offering practical demonstrations and step-by-step guidance on improving productivity, reducing losses and enhancing profitability.
He explained that data-driven fish farming enables informed decisions on feeding schedules, water quality management and disease control, thereby promoting sustainable operations.
Engr. Dr. Ayoade Atere delivered the next session on Value Chain Management in Fish and Rice, focusing on the coordination of input supply, production, processing, distribution and marketing. He emphasised strategies for value addition, efficiency and profitability, illustrating how effective integration across the value chain can maximise returns.
He also provided practical guidance on record-keeping, market analysis and product branding, noting that strong value chain management boosts farmers’ income and enhances food security.
The fourth session, led by the Provost, Professor Jonathan J. Atungwu, was highly interactive, featuring robust discussions between participants and the panel.
Farmers shared real-life experiences, asked questions and engaged directly with experts, enabling collaborative problem-solving and practical application of knowledge within local agricultural contexts.
Participants were urged to apply the skills and insights gained on their farms and within their communities to promote sustainable agricultural development.
The event was attended by members of FCAIB Management, Deans of Schools, Directors, Heads of Departments (HODs) and Heads of Units (HOUs), underscoring the College’s leadership commitment to agricultural capacity building.
Representatives from FUNAAB included Dr. R. M. Akinbode, representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde, alongside Mr. P. A. Sobowale Soremi and Dr. O. O. Ayodeji Omolola, further reflecting strong institutional collaboration among leading agricultural institutions in Nigeria.
Also present were representatives of Taghini Foods Limited – the Manager, Mr. Peter Shonibare, and Miss Uzomaka Veronica – highlighting private-sector participation in advancing agricultural innovation.
Members of the Farmers’ Association, Ibadan South-West, including Mr. Oyedapo A. Fawole, Mr. Adegboyega Kayode and Mr. Akeem Raji, attended the workshop, demonstrating the involvement of organised farmer groups in adopting best agricultural practices.
The Students’ Union President of the College, Comrade Femi Arala, was also in attendance, representing the student body and showcasing active student engagement in institutional programmes.
Overall, the workshop reinforced FCAIB’s commitment to capacity building, innovative agriculture and inclusive rural development, further positioning the College as a hub for transformative agricultural education in Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region.
