Members of Bayero University Community heaved a sigh of relief during the ongoing lockdown over the spread of coronavirus as the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) Farm provided fresh farm and poultry products at affordable rates.
The farm produce includes tomatoes, green pepper, red pepper, lettuce, cucumber, onions, eggs, broiler chicken and cockerels. All these are produced on the CDA Training and Research Farm and the Poultry Unit.
On Thursday, 23rd April, 2020, when the lockdown in Kano was relaxed, hundreds of people trooped to the CDA Farm as early as 8am to get their produce having made bookings earlier through a google form created by the Centre. Other people who did not make earlier bookings were given the opportunity to purchase the produce.
The Chairperson of CDA Farm Marketing Committee and the Deputy Director, (Outreach and Publications), Professor Amina Mustapha had earlier assured the teeming staff members through a Whatsapp platform created purposely for dissemination of information regarding availability and prices of produce informed members that the CDA planned to be providing fresh and quality produce for the consumption of members of Bayero University community. “The CDA has plans to have a one stop shop where members can purchase quality produce,” she added.
According to her, if the lockdown persists, “the CDA would commence delivery to the Old Campus based on the placement of order by the prospective customers.
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Prof Mustapha further said members of the University Community who are not on the platform can still make their bookings through the following numbers: 07037716114, 08062670267.
Many members of the University Community expressed appreciation with the CDA’s gigantic strides of providing quality farm produce during this period and commended the centre for rising to the challenges of food security.
Professor Yusuf Adamu said CDA model is the way to go for BUK, saying that “we have the potentials and the knowledge. What we need is a little push for excellence.”
Malama Asma’u Mahmood recounted that “I ordered for vegetables and I was surprised at the quantity. It was very fresh and at reasonable price.”
According to Naziru Malami of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology,“ we give glory to Almighty Allah for the CDA Farm. It brings relief to many BUK staff. The fresh tomatoes, green pepper and lettuce I bought from the farm last week are still being used in my house.”
“It was a wonderful start. We hope to see great improvement in subsequent dealings. At least, we have something to of this nature to call ours,” Malam Mu’azu Mu’azu said.
The Deputy Dean, Faculty of Communication, Dr. Mainasara Kurfi, said, “This is a very good development. I was at the farm yesterday and I was really impressed.”
Recall that the CDA Research and Training Farm was commissioned by the Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono on 20th December 2019.
“Our plan is to ensure that the Farm provides enough produce that will meet the demands of members of the university community and the neighboring communities of Bayero University, Kano,” said Director of CDA, Professor Jibrin M. Jibrin at the commissioning ceremony.
