Kwara Poly Harvests 250 Tonnes of Cassava, Expands Commercial Farming Projects

News in Brief:

—Kwara State Polytechnic has harvested 250 tonnes of cassava from its student-managed commercial farm in Ilorin and is expanding production with 2,000 cocoa and oil palm seedlings.

—The institution says the initiative strengthens food security, practical agricultural education, and youth entrepreneurship, while laying the foundation for value-added processing.

Kwara State Polytechnic (Kwara Poly) has harvested 250 tonnes of cassava from its commercial farm in Ilorin. The farm is managed by students from the Agricultural Technology and Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering departments under the supervision of their lecturers.

According to a statement by the Rector, Mohammed Abdul Jimoh, the harvest reflects the institution's commitment to supporting food security in Nigeria while creating entrepreneurial opportunities for young people through practical agricultural education.

Commercial Farming Expansion

Building on the success of the cassava project, the polytechnic is expanding its commercial farming programme by planting 2,000 cocoa and oil palm seedlings. The long-term investment is expected to continue generating value well beyond the current administration.

Dr Jimoh disclosed that the institution invested ₦1.5 million in cassava stems for cultivation, adding that there is still significant potential to expand its agricultural activities.

He also revealed that the Department of Food Science and Technology will, in future, process harvested produce into market-ready products such as cassava chips, palm oil, and cocoa-based products. The institution is also exploring branding opportunities, including launching its own product brand.

Proceeds from the cassava harvest will be reinvested into expanding the commercial farming initiative. Jimoh stressed that the project's current focus is growth rather than profit and commended the students who participated as part of their practical training and entrepreneurship programme.

The rector also praised the Kwara State Government for providing agricultural equipment, which has helped reduce production costs and improve operational efficiency.

Stakeholders Hail Initiative

The Head of the Kwara State Polytechnic Commercial Farm, Ruth Modupe Bayeri, described the successful harvest as a landmark achievement. She expressed appreciation to the rector and the institution's management for supporting the initiative, stating that the project has laid the foundation for expanded farming activities, greater agricultural innovation, skills acquisition, and sustainable food production.

The Director of the Institute of Agriculture, Ibrahim Banjoko, also commended the project's success and praised the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for supporting the institution's food security contribution.

Kwara State, which accounts for about 8% of Nigeria's total land area, is widely recognised for its fertile agricultural land and hosts several large-scale agribusinesses, including Olam Agri and Shonga Farms.

With abundant land and a growing pool of young, skilled, and innovative students, Kwara State Polytechnic is positioning itself to become a stronger player in commercial agriculture while equipping graduates with practical agribusiness experience.