Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, plans to revive its university farm and utilise innovations from its Agriculture and Veterinary Complex to enhance internally generated revenue (IGR) and research.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, announced the initiative on Friday during the 2025 Annual Field Day of the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) in Zaria. Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Advancement, Research and Innovation), Prof. Sanusi Rafindadi, he said the revived farm would help address funding gaps and support national food security.
Prof. Ahmed said ABU would apply scientific breakthroughs from the agriculture and veterinary complex to improve revenue, research output, and food sustainability, noting that inconsistent government funding remains a key challenge for universities.
The Executive Director of IAR, Prof. Ado Yusuf, highlighted progress in developing crops such as Artemisia annua, used in anti-malarial drugs, and sunflowers, being commercialised with the Sunflower Association of Nigeria. Researchers also demonstrated drought-resilient seed varieties capable of withstanding prolonged dry spells while maintaining high yields.
