The National Committee of the Heads of Colleges of Agriculture and Related Disciplines (NACHCARD) has called for establishment of entrepreneurship centres and support from the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with international donor agencies be extended to State Colleges of Agriculture across the country.
NACHCARD in a communique issued Wednesday in Abuja at the end of its 59th regular meeting said it recognised the importance of entrepreneurship centre as avenue for internship programme and skilled acquisition for agricultural graduates, farmers and other stakeholders in agriculture.
The communique which was issued by Dr. E. M. Shaibu-Imodagbe and Dr. Oluyemi Akande, on behalf of the communique drafting committee national chairman, said much impart will be created if graduates from Colleges of Agriculture & Related Disciplines are empowered through the CBN driven agricultural intervention programmes such as anchor borrowers to accelerate achievements of food security and diversification of economy.
NACHCARD also apreciated the Ministers of Agriculture and the Executive Secretary of (ARCN) in promoting outstanding policies to improve National Agricultural Research Systems through Adopted Villages, Schools and Extension Activities to re-position the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“Considering the devastating condition of infrastructural decay in Colleges of Agriculture and Related disciplines in Nigeria and the torturous issue of funding for the colleges, NACHCARD strongly appreciate the efforts of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Agric, Colleges and Institutions as well as the Honourable Ministers of Agriculture & Rural Development in enhancing their capital budget allocation and passing the ARCN amended Bill in view of the strategic role of ARCN in resolving the problems of food insecurity and training of reliable extension workers in the country.
“NACHCARD also appreciate the efforts of the Honourable Ministers of Agriculture, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Agric, Colleges and Institutions in fast tracking the enabling bills for the establishment of Federal Colleges of Agriculture and Related Disciplines through the amendment of ARCN Act and the National Agricultural Development Trust Fund as alternative source of funding for Agricultural Research System in the country.”
