The Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, delivered a stirring address at a one-day retreat organised by Agbeyewa Farms Limited on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, held at the Ikogosi Warm Springs. He underscored the urgent need for agricultural revitalisation in Ekiti State.
In his impassioned speech to a diverse audience, encompassing traditional leaders, government officials, stakeholders, and representatives of Agbeyewa Farms Limited, Professor Fasina expressed his concern over the waning interest in agriculture among the youth and emphasised the hurdles facing the sector in Ekiti State.
The Vice Chancellor stressed the imperatives of reshaping the agricultural approach, urging the adoption of agribusiness principles to unleash the full agricultural potentials of the state. He pinpointed specific crops that offer substantial opportunities for value addition and economic expansion.
Professor Fasina stressed the pivotal role of traditional rulers in enhancing agricultural business within their domains. He called for community audits to identify arable lands and natural resources, as well as urging negotiations for peace agreements to tackle insecurity.
Additionally, the Vice Chancellor urged collaboration between traditional institutions and educational bodies to promote agricultural studies among the youth, nurturing a new generation of agribusiness leaders.
Concluding his address, Professor Fasina praised the retreat organizers for initiating dialogue on this critical issue and urged sustained efforts to rejuvenate agriculture in Ekiti State. His remarks have spurred discussions on the urgent need for collective action to tackle the hurdles confronting agriculture and unlock its vast potential for both the state and the nation.
