The Dean, Prof Cordelia I. Ebenebe, Head of Departments & Professors of Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka welcomes the Anambra State Commissioner For Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, Program Manager, Agricultural Development Projects, Mr. Jude Nwankwo and other State officials to the Faculty.
Speaking during a meeting, the Dean expressed readiness of the faculty to partner with the Ministry in domesticating some of their research findings for the benefit of the State.
The Commissioner challenged the Academics to come up with innovative solutions to multiple challenges faced by farmers in the State. These challenges to include, reducing the cost of livestock feed, gully erosion, development of native crops like Breadfruit (Ukwa), Bitter kola (Akilu), among others, as well as enhancement of native livestock, chicken (Okuko Igbo) and cow (Efi Igbo).
He said that Government would collaborate with the institution to chart the way forward especially in the area of “Gown-to-Town” initiative. The Commissioner indicated that in the first instance, the Government is ready to partner with the faculty in the following areas:
- Collaborate with Department of Forestry and Wildlife to improve and multiply early fruiting breadfruit (Ukwa). Hence facilitate offtake of 10,000 seedlings Ukwa to the State government
- Include experts in the faculty in the project the State government plan to have with Chinese Government as well as L- PRES project by World Bank
The Programme Manager ADP admitted the Faculty of Agriculture as one of the out stations for World Bank vegetable production project under his purview.
The climax of the meeting was a visit to the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Nursery to inspect the site for raising seedlings of various indigenous tree species and an already fruiting Ukwa planted 3 years ago.
Presenting the vote of thanks, Dr. Ngozi Obiekwe, the Faculty’s representative to Senate, thank the commissioner and his team for a giant step to foster the Gown to Town relationship.
FAU-NAU ICT/Media Team
19th July, 2023
Published by FAG MICTU