FG pledges support for university-based agriculture to strengthen food security
The Federal Government has pledged to support agricultural and infrastructure development at the Federal University of Education, Kontagora (FUEK), Niger State, and other tertiary institutions as part of efforts to boost food security, reduce poverty and drive economic growth.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, made the commitment during a courtesy visit by a delegation from FUEK, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Faruk Haruna, to the National Agricultural Growth Scheme–Agro Pocket (NAGS–AP) office in Abuja.
Abdullahi said the collaboration would prioritise practical, hands-on agricultural training and entrepreneurship to equip students with profitable skills and nurture a new generation of agripreneurs.
He urged the university to embrace smart agriculture by deploying digital technology and data analytics to improve efficiency, profitability and sustainability, noting that modern, data-driven farming was key to optimising inputs and increasing yields across the value chain.
The minister also highlighted the decline in agriculture teachers over the years, which he said prompted the creation of the Young Farmers Club, a youth-focused initiative designed to make farming attractive through modern techniques, leadership development and practical skills. He noted that recent initiatives launched by the First Lady were aimed at boosting youth participation in agriculture as a viable career path.
In his remarks, Prof. Haruna disclosed that Abdullahi sponsored the bill that established the university while serving as senator for Niger North, adding that it was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 2021.
The vice-chancellor appealed for the establishment of agro-processing and value-addition centres for training and research, as well as support for modern farm machinery, renewable energy solutions, cold rooms, greenhouses and irrigation facilities to enhance the institution’s agricultural capacity.