A former Director in the Directorate of Environmental Management at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Dr Akinpelu Ojo, has called for the transformation of university farms into centres for agricultural innovation and revenue generation.

Ojo made the call at the 2026 Pre-Season Farming Seminar organised by the Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), where stakeholders discussed strategies for improving productivity and sustainability.

Speaking on the theme, he said university farms had moved beyond traditional teaching functions and should now serve as hubs for research, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration.

He identified key areas of opportunity, including agricultural research, student-led agribusiness initiatives, technology transfer, consultancy services, agritourism, and commercialisation of intellectual property.

According to him, university farms can significantly boost food production and internally generated revenue if properly structured around agribusiness models and modern technologies.

Ojo also listed challenges affecting farm operations, including inadequate funding, weak industry linkages, climate change risks, and limited commercial orientation.

To address these gaps, he recommended stronger partnerships, expansion of value chains, and greater support for student-driven enterprises and practical agricultural training.

He also highlighted ongoing developments at DUFARMS, commending successive university administrations for expanding cashew and oil palm plantations and introducing processing facilities for value addition.

The former director further urged staff to maintain discipline and continuous professional development while proposing initiatives such as crop collection plots, revival of underutilised crops, and expansion of tree crop cultivation.

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Babatunde Kehinde said the university remains committed to integrating teaching, research, and community engagement, noting that DUFARMS plays a key role in supporting agricultural productivity.

He praised ongoing value addition efforts within the university farms and encouraged further expansion in livestock production, including poultry, beef, pork, and egg production.

The seminar ended with participants reaffirming their commitment to repositioning DUFARMS as a centre for innovation, practical training, and sustainable revenue generation in line with global agricultural practices.