The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has entered into partnerships with organised private farms and universities, aligning with the president’s call for a state of emergency on agriculture.
One notable collaboration is with Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
Under this partnership, NALDA and LAUTECH jointly ventured into a 60-acre maize farm, and while the harvest is yet to be completed, the initial results have inspired the university to seek further collaboration, particularly in revamping its 3000-broiler production facilities on campus.
Professor Samuel Babarinde, the Dean of LAUTECH’s faculty of Agricultural Sciences, expressed gratitude to NALDA for facilitating the partnership, which has not only provided the university with valuable resources but also practical experiences for its 400-level internship students.
As part of the collaboration, the university provided the land and the necessary labour force, while NALDA supplied state-of-the-art equipment, including tractors, harrows, boom sprayers, planters, harvesters, and maize shellers, as well as fertilizers, seeds, and agrochemicals.
Prof Tonyi Peter Abegunrin, an Agricultural Engineering expert at LAUTECH, emphasised the significance of the partnership in providing students with practical exposure to agricultural mechanisation.
He highlighted the farm’s potential for research and specialisation, contributing to the students’ comprehensive understanding of agricultural practises.
Prof. Abegunrin also appealed to NALDA for assistance in obtaining irrigation facilities, including water collection technology. He suggested that two industrial boreholes could supply enough water to irrigate the field, enhancing crop and vegetable production in the off-season.
NALDA collaborates with Group
NALDA is also collaborating with the Nigeria Farmers’ Group and Cooperative Society (NFGCS) located in Nasarawa State’s Kokona Local Government.
The partnership with the farm resulted in the production of rice on 100 hectares.
During a recent visit by NALDA officials and journalists to the farm, the ongoing harvest activities revealed that the planted faro 44 and 59 rice varieties are expected to yield over 300 tonnes of paddy
NALDA supplied the farm with agricultural machinery to automate tasks, resulting in minimal need for physical labour.
Mr. Babalota, the administrative officer, provided updates on the harvesting process, noting that it is currently at various stages.
After completion, he said the focus will shift to processing, marking another crucial step in the value chain of rice production.
Ms. Hope Christopher, the NFGCS Chief Operations Officer, shared some insights into the transformative impact of mechanisation on the farm’s operations.
She said the mechanisation process not only eased the challenges associated with manual labour but also streamlined harvesting, making it more cost-effective and efficient.
