The Kwara State Polytechnic farm in Ara have harvested 25 tonnes of maize from it’s farm, the Rector of the school, Dr. Abdul Jimoh disclosed.
In what appears to be its response to national food crisis and the need to shore up internally generated revenue.
He said the monetary value of the harvest is estimated at about N30 Million, taking the current market survey into consideration.
In addition, Engr. Jimoh explained that the volume of harvest also amounts to about 10 percent of such produce that enters one of Ilorin’s grain markets at Ago on daily basis.
“It’s our response to the challenge by Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq to maximize potentials of the institutions and we intend to sustain the process,” the Rector said.
Speaking further, Engr. Jimoh noted that the Polytechnic farm have two phases which operates on 20 hectares adding that each phase operates on 10 hectares each.
He said the farm also had cassava, believes would yield an estimated 180 tonnes when harvested later in the year.
The Polytechnic authorities started the farm project not only to contribute to food security in Kwara State on one hand and to curb incessant encroachment on the institution lands.