Ajasin Varsity receives kudo on cocoa production
Efforts of the Management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, at making its Faculty of Agriculture the best in the country, has received a boost as the Director of the State Cocoa Revolution Project, Dr. Ajibayo Oyebade, benchmarked the Varsity’s cocoa seedlings the best among the over 10,000 nursery locations in the State.
Dr. Oyebade made the revelation on Wednesday last when his team visited the AAUA Cocoa Nursery. The visit was to inspect the seedling and expand the relationship between the University and the State Cocoa Revolution Project.
Dr. Oyebade said, “I am so impressed that your seedlings have a torch of University. If I take you to other locations, you will see the differences. This means the position of the University Management in terms of research and Cocoa production in Ondo state for establishing the new rehabilitation of plantation of the seedlings are the first key point.
“We have seen today that AAUA is on course. This cocoa nursery is very encouraging and very impressive. This University is in good standing collaborate with us, particularly in the areas of research and educating the farmers. And I use this medium seek the cooperation of the University Management.”
The Director expressed the hope that the University would use its first batch of seedlings to establish a cocoa farm as promised by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, noting that the cocoa revolution would continue to collaborate and ensure that farmers make use of University’s seedlings as a way of re-launching cocoa plantation chain in the Northern Senatorial District of Ondo State.
Meanwhile, Prof. Igbekele, who had earlier commended the efforts of the Ondo State CRP at making the state to maintain it number status in cocoa production, said the University, through its Faculty of Agriculture, would influence the nation’s economy.
The VC added the AAUA Faculty of Agriculture would be the best among the leading faculties in Nigerian University in terms of research and quality production in Agriculture.
Prof. Ajibefun said, “Our University is located in the State (Ondo) that has the highest cocoa production in Nigeria, and we will cocoa production very serious. We have started already. Our Faculty of Agriculture which is less than three years old has taken up the challenge and I can tell you that in the next few years, the Faculty that will be outstanding among same faculties in Nigeria because we want to make a practical contribution to the Economy in Nigeria.
“We are going to have the Demonstration Farm so that we can demonstrate the best practices in Cocoa production, so that in the few years Cocoa production in Ondo North senatorial District will be something that is Great.”
The VC promised that the 1,000 cocoa seedlings would planted on the Varsity’s farmland, adding that plans were on to expand the cocoa nursery.
