University of Port Harcourt linkage with agricultural organizations in Nigeria: The journey so far

The Faculty of Agriculture in the University of Port Harcourt was established to provide broad based training of undergraduates in various areas of agriculture: crops, poultry, livestock, fisheries, wildlife, forestry, agricultural economics and extension. In a bid to ensure that it incorporates agri-entrepreneurial teaching and learning the faculty has established linkages with several research organizations such as Niger Delta Development Commission, Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, National Root Crops Research Institute, and many others. The linkage established has strengthened the faculty in the teaching, research and community services. Through the linkages, the faculty has acquired tractors, improved varieties of seedlings; has also carried out baseline research in food security assurance in Rivers State and also conducted training for farmers in various agro-entrepreneurial skills. It has also strengthened the students’ practical skills and some of them have established farms in different localities through the community services programme as a way of giving back to the society.