Fed. Agric. Varsity, Makurdi begins mechanized farming

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State has commenced mechanized farming even as it has also, developed two new varieties of Cowpeas to boost agricultural growth of the country.
Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Anande Richard Kimbir who disclosed this at the weekend during a press conference to mark his two years in office, said several tractors have been delivered to the institution by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for this purpose.
He also, intimated that the institution is building an ultra-modern state of the art hatchery as well as embarking on a turnaround building maintenance of the University Feed Mill and improving on the Cattle Feed Looting programme to increase its Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.
Prof. Kimbir added that the university had collaborated with organizations and other bodies within and outside the country which culminated to the signing of 10 Memorandum of Understanding, MOUs including, Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, CSC, of the United Kingdom, Alluvial Agriculture Nigerian Ltd, Mzehemen Wase Multipurpose Society Ltd and many others.
“In the area of staff welfare and Development, we have relentlessly adhered to the requirements of TETFUND to attract sponsorship for the studies, courses, seminars/workshops. To this end, over 125 staff have been sent on training within and outside the country.
“To address student welfare and security, my administration has ensured the completion of new hostels and renovated existing ones to ease accommodation problems. There has been improved power and water supply on campus. We are nearing completion of the 3.5MWA Solar Plant embarked upon by the Rural Electrification Agency.
“Students transportation on campus has received a major boost with the delivery of 43-seater shuttle bus under the Student Dignity Project of TETFUND. Through privates partnership, more shuttles are expected.
“However, attacks by students who reside in private hostels outside the campus have continued to challenge us. We hope to win the war against cultists through diligent monitoring, counseling and sanctions.
“It is noteworthy to mention that the Open Education Resource, OER, platform launched for the University has earned her a rating of one of the best and most used OER in Nigeria with more than 381 profiles of Researchers and Staff thereby, improving the University rating from 47 to 33 in the ranking of universities in the country”, Prof. Kimbir stated enthusiastically.