FUNAAB Odeda Farmers’ Cooperative Celebrates 2026 Produce Day, Offers Organic Farm Produce to University Community

The FUNAAB (Odeda) Farmers’ Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, held its 2026 Produce Day, celebrating a successful harvest while reaffirming its commitment to agricultural development, food security and economic empowerment within the University Community.

The event featured the presentation and sale of locally produced and processed farm products, including garri, palm oil and yam, to registered members of the Cooperative.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dairo, congratulated Cooperative members on their achievements and commended the quality of the farm produce. He noted that the products were 100 percent organic and cultivated entirely within the University.

Earlier in his Welcome Address, the President of the Cooperative, Mr. Isaiah Ayorinde, appreciated members for their sustained commitment and support, while highlighting the progress recorded since the Cooperative was registered in May 2025.

He disclosed that the Cooperative had been actively involved in the production of maize, cassava and yam, adding that the current Produce Day followed the successful sale of maize harvested from the Cooperative’s farm two weeks earlier.

Mr. Ayorinde expressed appreciation to the University Management, particularly the Vice-Chancellor, for providing an enabling environment for the Cooperative to thrive. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC), Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), among others, to the success of the initiative.

In his Goodwill Message, the Director of the Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC), Prof. Jacob Olaoye, commended the Cooperative for its progress and positive impact on the University Community. He encouraged members to sustain the initiative and explore opportunities for further growth and value addition.

As part of the Produce Day activities, Cooperative members received their allocated farm produce, comprising a maximum of 15kg of yam, a compulsory 3kg of garri and 5 litres of palm oil each.

The event culminated in the official sale of the farm produce to members of the Cooperative and the University Community.

Meanwhile, the 2026 Produce Day will continue on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. at the AGROMAT, beside the SSANU Complex. The sales will be open to the general public to purchase fresh and processed farm produce from the Cooperative.

The 2026 Produce Day underscores the Cooperative’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture, strengthening food production and creating economic opportunities through collective enterprise within the University Community.