In a strategic move to enhance agricultural education and production, Kamrum Integrated Farms has announced plans to collaborate with the School of Agricultural Technology, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Samaru Kataf.
The Chief Executive Officer of Kamrum Farms, Mr. Rijo Shekari, disclosed this on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the school’s management in Samaru Kataf, Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He explained that the partnership aims to revitalize the underutilized institution and equip students with modern agricultural skills.
Shekari emphasized the importance of collaboration between private-sector investors and academic institutions, especially in light of the ongoing global agricultural revolution.
He highlighted the farm’s efforts in crossbreeding cows to improve livestock productivity and expressed confidence in attracting international investment, particularly from a Brazilian company set to invest in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
> “Our goal is to bring modern farming techniques to the institution and equip students with the skills needed to thrive in today’s agricultural industry,” Shekari stated. “This partnership will not only improve the school’s capacity but also open doors for more students to benefit from quality agricultural education.”
Shekari added that, in a show of commitment to education, Kamrum Farms has already awarded full scholarships to nine students at the University of Jos.
Furthermore, the farm aims to assist the School of Agriculture in acquiring advanced knowledge and technology, which could help reposition it as a Faculty of Agriculture in the future.
In his response, the Director of the School, Dr. Thomas Kanai Emmanuel, welcomed the proposed partnership and expressed the institution’s willingness to work with Kamrum Farms.
He noted that the school faces challenges such as poor funding, declining student enrollment, and outdated farming techniques.
Dr. Emmanuel lamented that the institution was originally established as a farm training center, along with three other similar institutions across Nigeria, all of which have since been converted into federal universities.
He further revealed that student enrollment has dropped significantly, with only 53 students currently registered.
He attributed this decline to high tuition fees introduced by the previous Kaduna State administration under former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, inconsistencies in admission requirements by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Despite offering specialized courses in Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Technology, Crop Production, Animal Production, and Agricultural Extension and Management, the school has struggled to attract students.
With the promise of improved funding, enhanced training, and stronger industry-academia collaboration, the partnership between Kamrum Farms and Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic’s School of Agriculture could mark the beginning of a new era for agricultural education in Kaduna State.
