The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has officially commenced its large-scale commercial agricultural venture, recording its maiden cassava harvest from the institution’s commercial farm.
The initiative, led by the Rector, Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed is designed to boost the polytechnic’s internally generated revenue (IGR), curb land encroachment, enhance practical training for students, and contribute to national food security.
Speaking during the harvest on the institutional farm covered live by 9japarrot, the Rector, Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, described the project as the foundation of a long-term investment aimed at transforming the polytechnic into a vibrant agribusiness hub.
“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.
Dr. Mohammed disclosed that the agricultural project has already expanded beyond the initial cultivation of cassava and maize. The institution has now ventured into long-term cash crops, establishing dedicated oil palm and cocoa plantations.
“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 noted.
Providing a breakdown of the financial commitment, the Farm Manager and member of the farming committee, Mr. Adebayo Aremu, stated that the polytechnic had invested over ₦7 million into the procurement of cassava stems, maize seeds, cocoa, and oil palm seedlings across several hectares of land.
The Rector explained that the farm’s produce would not be sold strictly in raw form. Instead, the institution’s Department of Food Science and Technology has been charged with processing the harvests into finished goods to maximize value and build an indigenous brand.
“In the coming years, we expect to see products such as Polytechnic palm oil, cassava chips, cocoa products, and several processed food items produced right here by the institution,” Dr. Mohammed added.
He emphasized that proceeds from the current harvest would be completely ploughed back into expanding the commercial farm, noting that agricultural investments require patience to break even due to high initial land-clearing costs. He also acknowledged the Kwara State Government for providing vital agricultural machinery, which significantly lowered production expenses.
Also speaking at the historic event, 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, expressed immense satisfaction with the encouraging yields.
“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,” Engr. Bayeri said.
She noted that the farm successfully bridges classroom theory with real-world experience, as students from the agricultural departments are actively integrated into the daily operations and harvesting processes, preparing them for prospective careers in modern agropreneurship.
