Abuja University Dean laments squalor agric faculty

* Expert speaks on GAP

 

The Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, Prof. Park .O. Idisi has lamented over the infrastructural decay in Institute’s faculty saying there is a need to ensure that students studying Agriculture have access to facilities that will well prepare them for the future best agronomic practices to standard productivity.

The Dean said this during paper discussion at the roundtable Agro-prenuers event organized to mark the world food day at Abuja.

Prof. Idisi expressed that agric students need thorough exposition to practical training with improved technologies, adding that lecturers most times had to use their personal funds to purchase materials for agric practical and trainings for the students just to ensure the students are better informed in their course.

Meanwhile, the youths present in the gathering have also called for the adoption of improved technology into the Agricultural sector for speedy food security and self-sufficiency in the sector.

Other stakeholders stressed the need for the adoption of Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) that would help to enhance agricultural export system towards ensuring Nigerian produce are accepted in the global market.

Speaking on food safety export to market, the CEO, Global Good Agricultural Practice (Global G.A.P), Captain John Okopu emphasized the need for effective infrastructure that would enhance traceability while ensuring standard productivity as farmers must be trained to be certified in GAP.

Okopu pointed that the reason why we don't have more companies coming into the sector is because our products are not traceable, which is responsible for our farmers not moving forward as most of their produce always encountered rejections at the international markets.

He further called for the involvement of state and federal governments to empower their farmers by supporting and sponsoring them to go for global gap certification, added that by so doing a fertile and conducive environment and a sustainable agric sector will be created.

The captain advised on the need to eschew duplication of functions by the government agencies saying many irrelevant agencies had cost the nation huge agriculture produce losses with capital . He advised that the Nigerian government should wave 70% of the agency charges, and adopt one-stop shop services for agro-export under one agency umbrella.