By Kayode Abdul
The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Engr (Dr.) Abdul Jimoh Mohammed has recounted how the Institution turned its land of encroachment challenge into a blessing.
Addressing Journalists at the Polytechnic on Thursday, Engr. Abdul said “With the effort of the management and support of the Ministry of Tertiary Education we have been able to reduce the level of encroachment through the initiative of farming.
“We began by engaging in commercial farming, we deploy this initiative to reduce the vacant land, discourage encroachment, and make food available and affordable to the members of the Polytechnic Communities and Kwarans.
“We started by cultivating 20 hectares although we initially cleared 10 hectares and another 10 hectares later with the planting of Cassava and Maize and we will also plant Soya beans later towards the end of the rainy season as advised.
“Come next rainy season, the management is planning to cultivate another 20 hectares and we are also considering giving an opportunity to the members of the public who may be interested in leasing a space for farming.
“Although, we are still working on modality for this arrangement, and the management will forward whatever modality we agreed on to the Executive Governor who has been encouraging us on this initiative through our supervising Ministry.
“So today, we are harvesting our first farm produce and believe it necessary to make it public,” he said.
Reacting to the development, the State Commissioner of Tertiary Education, Dr. Mrs Mary Arinde , who was represented by a Director in the Ministry Hajia Rodhiat Omotayo Yahya lauded the initiative said “This is a result of foresightedness on the part of Rector and his management team and highly commendable. This would surely go a long way in helping solve the crisis of food shortage in the state and beyond.”
Students working at the Farm
Also speaking, the farm Manager who is also a Director of the Institute of Technology, Engr Mrs. Ruth Modupe Bayeri, commended the Rector and institution for their support in overcoming the challenges faced by her 12-people Farming Committee stating they have realized 25 metric tons of Maize and targeting 180 metric tons of Cassava.
