Shola Baraye, llorin.
The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Engr (Dr.) Abdul Jimoh Mohammed has recounted how the Institution turned its land that are hitherto facing encroachment challenges into a blessing by engaging in farming activities.
He made this known to newsmen on Thursday in Ilorin, saying that with the effort of the school management and support of the Kwara State Ministry of Tertiary Institutions the school was able to reduce the level of encroachment through the initiatives of farming.
According to him: “We began by engaging in commercial farming, we deploy this initiatives to reduce the vacant land, discourage encroachment, and make food available and affordable to the members of the Polytechnic Communities and the residents of the state
“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.
“ln the 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, the management will forward whatever modality we agreed on to the Executive Governor who has been encouraging us on this initiatives through our supervising Ministry.
On her part, the State Commissioner of Tertiary Institutions, Dr. Mary Arinde, represented by a Director in the Ministry Hajia Rodia Yahaya described the initiatives as a result of foresightedness on the part of Rector and his management team, adding it would go a long way in helping solve the crisis of food shortage in the state and beyond.
Also the farm Manager and a Director Institute of Technology, Engr Ruth Bayero, commended the Rector and institution for their support in overcoming the challenges faced by her Committee stating they have realized 25 metric tons of Maize and targeting 180 metric tons of Cassava.
