L-R, Director, (Biotech), Prof. Okanlawon Onagbesan, Former Director, FMENV/UNAAB Linkage, Prof. Akin Omotayo, Rep. Dean COLPLANT, Dr. Ademola Olubode, DVC (Development), Prof. Segun Lagoke, Director, AMREC, Prof. (Mrs) Carolyn Afolami and the Country Manager C:AVA, Prof. Lateef Sanni at the occasion.
The Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC) in collaboration with Cassava: Adding Value for Africa (C:AVA) Project have empowered over 20 Farming Community groups and Processors with capacity strengthening items.
At the Handing-Over ceremony of 20 Knap Sack Sprayers and 40 Fermentation Vats to Farmers and Processors, the Director of AMREC, Professor (Mrs.) Carolyn Afolami said the equipment were meant to alleviate the sufferings of Farmers and help their work to grow.
Professor Afolami, who disclosed that AMREC had been teaching and training Farmers and Processors on the use and processing of Cassava, added that it had enjoyed the support and cooperation of C:AVA.
Corroborating the Director of AMREC, the Country Manager of C:AVA, Professor Lateef Sanni pointed out that the prospects derivable from the cultivation and processing of cassava are enormous.
According to him, the processing of Cassava products like Gari, Fufu, Biscuit, Lafun, among others could be achieved and the standard of living enhanced.
Professor Sanni, however, pointed out that C:AVA had been able to make an appreciable impact in the lives of Farmers, through the intervention of the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun described the occasion as “another milestone in the efforts of the University, towards addressing some of the obstacles to agricultural development and food self-sufficiency in Nigeria”.
Professor Balogun who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Professor Segun Lagoke said that given the increasing population growth rate and pressure on available land, there was an urgent need for farmers to adopt improved technology in the production and processing of their products.
He explained that the handing over of the capacity strengthening equipment to Cassava Farmers and Processors group under the C:AVA / AMREC Project will increase food security, improve rural livelihoods and promote agriculture, as an engine for poor economic growth.
Professor Balogun therefore called on the various beneficiaries to properly utilize the equipment as a means of boosting their livelihood and for the development of their communities.