FULokoja Seeks Increased ACReSAL Investment as Screen House Project Records Second Harvest

The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, has called for increased investment by the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project to strengthen and sustain the gains recorded in their agricultural partnership with the University.

Professor Akinwumi praised ACReSAL for its passionate commitment to agricultural development, particularly the screen house initiative, which has provided staff, students, and participating cooperatives with opportunities for gainful engagement and hands-on practical experience that complements classroom learning.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Salihu Danlami Musa, made this remark during the second harvest cycle of the screen house cucumber farm. The visit also featured flowering pepper and other crops nearing harvest. He noted that the University is mobilising both human and material resources as evidence of the administration’s readiness, within the ambit of the law, to ensure sustained agricultural practices aimed at producing competent graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to national food security.

Speaking on behalf of the Faculty and Management of the Faculty of Agriculture, the Acting Dean, Professor Olufegba S. Olabode, announced the Faculty’s willingness to allocate additional land to ACReSAL to expand its activities within the University. According to him, establishing two or more additional screen houses would ensure uninterrupted harvest cycles and enable year-round engagement of operating farmers.

Representing the cooperative societies, Mr. Idris Usman and Mrs. Joy Jeremiah called for increased investment and logistical support, noting that cooperative members are hardworking but economically challenged individuals who require modest encouragement to sustain their resilience and productivity.

On behalf of the students, Mr. Israel Williams, an Agricultural Extension student, expressed deep appreciation for ACReSAL’s presence and continued support of agricultural projects in FUL.