The Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has intensified efforts to diversify its revenue sources through commercial agriculture, with the institution recording its maiden cassava harvest as part of a broader strategy to strengthen practical education, promote food security and generate sustainable income.
Speaking with journalists during the harvest at the institution’s commercial farm in Ilorin, the Rector, Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, said the initiative marks the beginning of a long-term investment aimed at transforming the polytechnic into a centre for agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship.
According to him, the institution is already cultivating cassava and maize on a large scale while expanding into cocoa and oil palm plantations to ensure continuous returns for the school.
“What we are witnessing today is just the beginning. Agriculture provides enormous opportunities for employment, ensures food availability and serves as a reliable source of income. That is why we have decided to invest in it,” the rector said.
Mohammed explained that the decision to establish plantations was driven by the need to build projects that would continue yielding benefits beyond the tenure of the current management.
“We have started with cassava and maize, and we have also expanded to cocoa and oil palm plantations. These are investments that will outlive this administration because good leadership is about planning beyond your tenure,” he stated.
The rector disclosed that the institution plans to process its farm produce into finished products through its Department of Food Science and Technology, creating a unique brand for products such as palm oil, cocoa derivatives, cassava chips and other processed foods.
“I want to assure you that our Food Science and Technology Department has been charged with the responsibility of processing all these farm produce. In the coming years, we expect to see products such as Polytechnic palm oil, cocoa products and several processed food items produced right here by the institution,” he added.
Mohammed said the proceeds from the cassava harvest would be reinvested to expand the farming project, stressing that commercial agriculture requires patience before yielding significant profits.
“In every investment, there is always a starting capital. We do not expect to recover everything within one farming season because land clearing alone takes a significant portion of the cost. With time, however, we will break even and begin to generate profit,” he explained.
He commended the Kwara State Government for providing agricultural equipment to support the initiative, noting that the intervention had reduced production costs and improved access to the farmland.
The rector also revealed that students are directly involved in the farming project as part of their practical training, describing the initiative as a blend of academic learning, research and entrepreneurship that would better prepare graduates for opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Kwara State Polytechnic Commercial Farm and Chief Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Bio-Environmental Engineering, Engr. Ruth Modupe Bayeri, described the maiden cassava harvest as a landmark achievement for the institution.
She expressed appreciation to the management of the polytechnic, particularly the rector, for supporting the commercial farming initiative from its conception.
“I want to welcome everyone here today. This is a significant occasion for us, and I want to say a few words of appreciation to our Rector for believing in this vision from the beginning. He gave his full support to make this day a reality,” Bayeri said.
She expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the project, saying the successful harvest had justified the institution’s investment in commercial farming.
“We are not disappointed, and I am sure the Rector is also not disappointed with what we have achieved,” she said.
Bayeri noted that beyond generating revenue for the institution, the commercial farm was established to expose students to modern farming techniques while contributing to food security and agricultural development.
She added that the successful harvest would encourage the expansion of farming activities and further position the institution as a model for agricultural innovation and sustainable income generation among tertiary institutions in Nigeria.