Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has intensified efforts to diversify its revenue base and deepen practical learning for students with the commencement of commercial farming in cassava, maize, cocoa and palm trees.

The school, yesterday, harvested 25,000 tons of cassava from each hectare of the 10 hectares earmaked for the project.

Aside from the cassava and maize farming, the Rector, Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, who said the maiden harvest marked significant step in the institution’s drive to combine academic training with agricultural entrepreneurship while supporting food security in Nigeria, added that the Polytechnic had also bought 1,000 seedlings each for nothing cocoa and palm trees plantations.

Dr. Mohammed told newsmen that the school went into commercial agriculture “to reduce dependence on government funding, create additional income and expose students to practical farming experience.”

According to him: “agriculture remains a critical sector capable of generating employment, increasing food production and driving economic development.

“What we are witnessing today is just the beginning. Agriculture provides enormous opportunities for employment, ensures food availability and serves as a reliable source of income. That is why we have decided to invest in it,” he emphasised.

Mohammed disclosed that the institution had already embarked on large-scale cultivation of cassava and maize, while simultaneously developing cocoa and oil palm plantations as part of a broader agricultural expansion programme.

He said that the tree crop projects are designed as long-term investments that will continue to benefit the institution well beyond the tenure of the current administration.

“We have started with cassava and maize, and we have also expanded to cocoa and oil palm plantations. These are investments that will outlive this administration because good leadership is about planning beyond your tenure,” he said.

He added that the Department of Food Science and Technology would process farm produce into finished products to maximise value addition and strengthen the institution’s internally generated revenue.

“I want to assure you that our Food Science and Technology Department has been charged with the responsibility of processing all these farm produce. In the coming years, we expect to see products such as Polytechnic palm oil, cocoa products and several processed food items produced right here by the institution,” Mohammed stated.

He further revealed plans to establish a distinct institutional brand for products including cassava chips, palm oil and cocoa-based products, expressing confidence that the initiative would improve students’ practical knowledge while opening new income streams for the polytechnic.

The rector noted that proceeds from the cassava harvest would be reinvested to sustain and expand the commercial farming project, stressing that profitability in agriculture requires patience because of the huge initial investment involved.

“In every investment, there is always a starting capital. We do not expect to recover everything within one farming season because land clearing alone takes a significant portion of the cost. With time, however, we will break even and begin to generate profit,” he explained.

Mohammed commended the Kwara State Government for providing agricultural equipment to support the project, noting that the intervention had reduced production costs and improved operations on the farm.

He also disclosed that students are actively involved in the farming activities as part of their practical training, describing the initiative as a blend of academic learning, research and entrepreneurship that will position the institution as a leader in agricultural innovation among tertiary institutions.

Also speaking, the farm manager and member of the farming committee, Adebayo Aremu stated that the school spent over N7 million on cassava stems, maize, cocoa and palm oil seedlings, adding that it projected to realise N26 million from the proceeds of cassava and maize alone, putting the Net at N19 million.

Chairperson of the Kwara State Polytechnic Commercial Farm and Chief Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, Engr. Ruth Modupe Bayeri, described the maiden cassava harvest as a landmark achievement for the institution.

She praised the rector for supporting the project from its conception and ensuring its successful implementation.

“This is a significant occasion for us, and I want to say a few words of appreciation to our Rector for believing in this vision from the beginning. He gave his full support to make this day a reality,” Bayeri said.