Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti is making a big statement with its ambitious agriculture programme, which may ultimately announce the profile of the institution as a food basket of at least, its own community in Ekiti State.

he ambitious agriculture programme of the university, however, has justified the belief of the school of thought that without crude oil and the largesse that has promoted official graft, Nigeria can conveniently be a developed country by encouraging and promoting large-scale agriculture.

The ABUAD Farm, separated from the main campus of the institution by a fence, is located to the north of the Elemi River and covers an approximately over 100 hectares. An official of the school said two more villages had been annexed to expand the farm. In essence, the farm could be twice the specified size. Currently occupying different sections of the farm are fish ponds, nursery for various plants, an elaborate high-breed mango plantation, moringa, soya bean, tick tree and a feed mill among others.

ne may think that power supply, which seems to be taking on the toga of a monster in recent times, may scuttle the ambitious dream of the university and its revolutionary farm. Spokesman for the school, Layi Ajibola, however, said the institution had concluded an agreement with General Electric of the United States, which had granted the school $700,000 to build an hydro electric power on the Elemi River, which passes through the institution.

With such facilities in place and the passion of the backers of the university to do more, one may not be able to dispute the decision of UNESCO, which in 2013, nominated the institution as one of its centres of excellence.