FCAIB EXPLORES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH RABBIT FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

By Oluwatobi Fadairo

The Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan (FCAIB), has received representatives of the Rabbit Farmers Association of Nigeria (RAfAN), Oyo State Chapter, to explore a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening practical agricultural training, research, entrepreneurship and livestock value-chain development at the College.

The RAfAN delegation, led by the Acting President of the association, Pastor (Mrs) Josephine Oyelami, alongside Mr. Adebayo Olulowo, presented a proposal for a structured partnership that would combine FCAIB’s academic and technical capacity with RAfAN’s practical experience and farmer network.

Receiving the delegation, the Provost of FCAIB, Professor Jonathan J. Atungwu, welcomed the representatives and acknowledged the proposal, noting its potential to support the College’s mandate of providing practical and industry-relevant agricultural education.

Present were the Deputy Provost, Administration, Dr. Musiliu O. Adenekan; Registrar, Mrs. Olanike A. Popoola; Bursar, Mr. Adeyemi Jaguno; Director of Audit, Mr. Olakunle Karunwi; Dean, School of Agriculture, Dr. Modupe Sodamola; Director of Entrepreneurship, Dr. Oluwaleke Akindele; and Head, Public Relations Unit,Mrs. Oyekemi Wilson.

A major component of the proposal is the designation of FCAIB as the National Training and Operating Centre for RAfAN. The arrangement would position the College as a centre for specialised training in rabbit production, while creating opportunities for research, extension services, breeding-stock certification and skills development.

The proposed partnership would provide FCAIB students with additional hands-on experience in rabbit production, including breeding, farm management, production techniques, marketing and other aspects of the livestock value chain; which aligns with the College’s commitment to entrepreneurship and self-reliance, by creating opportunities for students and graduates to explore rabbit farming, as an agricultural enterprise.

The collaboration could further strengthen research and innovation at FCAIB by enabling students and researchers to work closely with practising rabbit farmers to identify industry challenges and develop research-based solutions. It could further support curriculum development and skills accreditation, ensuring that training reflects current practices and emerging opportunities in rabbit production.

The partnership would deepen FCAIB’s relationship with the agricultural industry, with RAfAN’s practical field experience, farmer network and market linkages complementing the College’s academic expertise, training facilities and research capacity.

The association proposed that FCAIB host the International Rabbit Day scheduled for Saturday, 26 September 2026. The event would feature conferences, technical seminars, exhibitions and a carnival aimed at promoting rabbit production and highlighting its potential as a viable agricultural enterprise.

Hosting the event would provide FCAIB an opportunity to showcase its facilities, academic programmes and technical training capacity to farmers, researchers, students, entrepreneurs and other agricultural stakeholders, while further enhancing the visibility of the College.

RAfAN noted that rabbit production offers opportunities for smallholder farmers, young people and emerging agripreneurs and expressed its interest in working with FCAIB to promote skills acquisition and enterprise development while contributing to the growth of the rabbit production industry.

The association expressed the readiness to engage further with the College Management and the Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), to develop modalities for the proposed partnership.

Discussions are expected to cover training arrangements, areas of collaboration, facility use and other requirements connected with the proposed International Rabbit Day programme. The engagement reflects FCAIB’s continued commitment to building meaningful relationships with agricultural organisations and industry stakeholders to expand practical learning and strengthen its contribution to Nigeria’s agricultural development.

The proposed collaboration could enhance the College’s impact in skills development, agricultural research, entrepreneurship, industry engagement and livestock development, while providing students with practical knowledge and new opportunities within the agricultural value chain.

Through initiatives that connect classroom knowledge with practical industry experience, FCAIB continues to position itself as an institution committed to producing graduates with relevant skills, entrepreneurial capacity and the confidence to contribute meaningfully to agricultural development.

FCAIB, the First, the Best!