Firm to help ACU students set up farms

Students of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo would soon begin to benefit from a new agricultural scheme that seeks to help students go into farming.

The project is being organized by Funder Farm Help Agro Store, a company dedicated to promoting farming amongst students in higher institutions.

Director of the Project, Ifeoluwa Oyeyemi, visited Ajayi Crowther University recently and met with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy Abiodun Adebayo, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Professor W.B. Akambi and some members of staff of the faculty.

Oyeyemi told the Vice-Chancellor that her organization encourages students to go into modern farming, and generate income from the venture.

She said her organisation only demands that the University provides land, water, and willing students while her firm will provide seed worth N100,000 for the start-up.

“We will guide them, and come to inspect their farms regularly to ensure that they are doing the right thing. We accommodate all students in our programme. They do not have to be students of agriculture. We only want them to have an interest in farming.

“When we set up the farm, the proceeds belong to the students. We even come to buy their products from them. The essence is for them to see the benefits of modern farming. We take 20 students per group. We can have many groups in a University, depending on those who show interest,” she said.

Oyeyemi who came with two students from another university, Samuel Oyediran and Mathew Salami. The students said they are already making money from their farms.

The Vice-Chancellor said he be delighted to receive it, noting that the concept was acceptable to him.

He said staff members should also be encouraged to join when the programme takes off.