FUNAAB and HarvestField Launch 250-Hectare Soybean Cultivation Project

On July 23, 2024, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and HarvestField Industries Limited launched a 250-hectare soybean cultivation project on the university's campus

Jul 25, 2024 - 17:16

FUNAAB and HarvestField Launch 250-Hectare Soybean Cultivation Project

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has partnered with HarvestField Industries Limited to cultivate 250 hectares of soybean on campus. This initiative, which commenced on July 23, 2024, follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in May 2024 aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity on the university’s unused land.

FUNAAB’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, supervised the land clearing for the soybean project. He emphasized the high demand for soybeans and outlined the marketing strategy involving both FUNAAB and HarvestField. The partnership involves FUNAAB providing the land, while HarvestField supplies resources for cultivation, including planting of maize, cassava, and soybeans.

Additionally, FUNAAB has signed another MoU with ASSETRISE to cultivate 100 hectares of yam, targeting over one million tubers across five harvest years. The yam cultivation project has begun with seedlings being transplanted onto the cleared land.

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Prof. Kehinde noted that the soybean and yam projects will create employment opportunities, provide accommodation for farm workers, and offer internship opportunities for students. The initiatives are also expected to boost local food production, expand arable land, and increase the university's revenue.

Security on the farms will be managed by the Agro-Rangers security outfit. The projects mark a significant advancement in agricultural practices and academic collaboration, promising improved crop yields and development for both the university and the surrounding region.