Food Sufficiency: A'Ibom Varsity Takes Over Management Of Ibom Model Farm
Akwa Ibom State Government has transferred management of the Ibom Model Farm to the State University (AKSU) to boost research, innovation and improve productivity.
The handover, announced during an inspection of the facility by Governor Umo Eno on Monday, is expected to position the farm as a centre for agricultural research, practical training, food production and agro-tourism, while the State Ministry of Agriculture will provide supervisory oversight.
Governor Eno said the government had completed the farm house and was putting the necessary infrastructure in place to enable the facility commence full operations.
“We began this project by providing the farm house. The farm is now going to be managed by Akwa Ibom State University and the Ministry of Agriculture will perform the supervisory role,” he said.
He explained that the Ibom Model Farm is designed to serve multiple purposes beyond agricultural production, including recreation and tourism, describing it as an integrated agricultural facility.
“You can see the ambience of the farm. This is what we expected. People should be able to come here and relax. This is agritourism. Apart from food, there are things that will be happening here,” the governor stated.
Governor Eno said the project draws inspiration from the Songhai Farm model and is intended to serve as a prototype for similar farms planned across the state’s three senatorial districts. He expressed confidence in the university’s ability to manage the facility, urging its management and Faculty of Agriculture to deploy their expertise to ensure its success.
He also disclosed plans to establish additional model farms in Ini Local Government Area for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and Eastern Obolo Local Government Area for Eket Senatorial District.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, said the vision for the Ibom Model Farm extends beyond food production to include human capacity development and agro-tourism.
“The objective beyond food security has been to develop human capacity and also serve as a tool for agrotourism. It is going to be everything His Excellency expected it to be,” she said.
Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Otoabasi Akpan, assured that the institution has the technical capacity to manage the facility effectively and develop it into a model for modern agricultural practice.
He said the partnership would strengthen agricultural research, practical learning and food production while contributing to sustainable food security in the state.
“The goal is to provide food security in line with the ARISE Agenda, where the ‘A’ stands for Agricultural Revolution. We thank His Excellency for giving us the opportunity to serve the state,” Prof. Akpan said.
Source: Daily Independent
