FECA tasks investors on value chain curriculum 

Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), Dr. Samson Odedina has urged investors to utilise the newly introduced value chain curriculum to bail the nation out of the present economic recession.

Odedina, who made the appeal during the bi-monthly business forum, in partnership with HarvestPlus at the institution’s campus, said the inclusion of value chain activities of production, processing, value addition, marketing and consumption into the National Diploma and National Higher Diploma programmes in agricultural disciplines will maximise profits in the sector.

“The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) approved the curriculum the college jointly facilitate with six other Nigerian institutions, under our partnership with Switzerland Government Capacity Building for Agricultural Education (CBAEN) Project. This curriculum, developed based on our experience, will now be used in colleges of agriculture and polytechnics across Nigeria; and to help raise future generations of successful farmers,” he said.

Odedina disclosed that the practice of value chain system in the college for the past two years has abolished the conventional rigours of education, which oftentimes churn out graduates that are non-functional in the labour market.

Based on FECA experience, which is the pioneer of bio-fortified Vitamin A cassava and maize in Nigeria, he added that the students are guided to utilise over 15 value chain opportunities in each of the products.

Consequent upon this, the Provost, who noted that there is five-value chain Switzerland certified experts among his staff, mentioned that there are more than 20 franchise requests all over the country to sell their bio-fortified products.

“Demand has been created and cannot be met by staff and students of the college alone. Investors can leverage on business opportunities and fill the gap for other opportunities for input and logistics support for these services. “In Ondo State and environs, existing request for stems amount to over 20,000 bundles; 10 tons of garri per week and five tons of fufu per week,” he said.