The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has declared that undergraduates of agric institutions must show their farms before they are
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has declared that undergraduates of agric institutions must show their farms before they are allowed to graduate. The Minister, Chief Audu Ogbeh at a meeting with the representatives of three institutions in Abuja said that henceforth all students of the institutions must be ready to contribute to the economic recovery plan of the present administration through diversification into agriculture, and must develop and own a farm before graduation.
“Now all undergraduates of the institutions must have a farm to qualify them for graduation. We do not forbid the teaching of electives like some accounting, business administration and so on, but only as subsidiaries. The main courses must be agriculture, agronomy, botany, animal husbandry, forestry, fishery, plant entomology, breeding, cattle breed improvement, agricultural engineering, veterinary medicine,” he said
He said that the government is now trying to use academics to solve the problem of food security and will do that through innovations that are expected to come from these institutions.
“There may be an immediate reaction to the innovations we are bringing to bear on your campuses. For example, you may experience a sharp drop in admission. We know many of our younger ones are not too keen on agriculture. It is not attractive enough, they claim. Do not worry about this, and other distractions.
“Attitudes will change because, undoubtedly, agriculture is a profitable business to those who choose the path of patience and endurance. They will come running once they see the prosperity and fulfillment in those who dare to try.”
