Ajasin varsity launches Agro shop, tractor
By Bukola Olamona
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The foundation for a multipurpose Agro Shop where plant and animal products from the Research and Development farms of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, would be sold to members of the community has been laid.
The shop is also expected to provide agricultural extension services to farmers and other interested members of the community.
Performing the foundation laying ceremony on the site (old main gate of the University), the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, said the Agro Shop, when completed, would be another major addition to the community services being rendered to the society by the university, adding that the initiative would help to improve the institution’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Ige, who also used the occasion to formally hand-over a tractor for use on the farms, observed that a university that does not have positive impact on its immediate community is not worthy of the name. He expressed optimism that the Agro Shop would immensely benefit the University’s host communities.
He said organic plant and animal products like vegetables, palm oil, snails, chicken, beef, assorted fruits, pork, and poultry among others, would be offered for sale at competitive rates to interested members of the university and host communities.
While thanking the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) for the donation of the new tractor, Ige said the machine would greatly boost the output and yield from the University farms.
Speaking earlier, the Dean of Agriculture, Prof. Adebayo Aromolaran, said the vision behind the Agro Shop was to provide a sale outlet for farm produce and animal products from the University farms, improve interaction between the gown and town, and bring in additional money into the coffers of the Institution.
According to him, the University has functioning farms where cattle, fish, vegetables, poultry, and other products are produced.
In a related development, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige also inaugurated Zebra Crossings across the campus to further ensure the safety of students and other road users.
He noted that major roads on campus would be clearly lined and marked to aid parking and movement of vehicles.
Present at the events were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Acad.), Prof Francis Gbore; Acting Registrar, Mr. Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa; Bursar, Mrs. Olubunmi Ologun; University Librarian, Dr. Rotimi Egunjobi; as well as Deans, Directors, and some senior officers of the University.
