The Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin Kowa, Gombe State has introduced new academic programmes aimed at addressing security challenges, promoting social development and preserving indigenous plant species.
The move is part of efforts to reposition the institution to meet emerging national priorities.
Speaking with journalists in Dadin Kowa, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area, the Provost of the college, Dr Umar Abdullahi, said the institution had introduced programmes in Social Development, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity and Microbiology to equip students with skills relevant to contemporary societal and technological needs.
According to him, “the Social Development programme was designed to address concerns over insecurity, banditry, kidnapping and other social challenges by equipping graduates with the knowledge required to promote peace, conflict resolution and community development.”
Dr Abdullahi said the AI and Cybersecurity programmes would prepare students for careers in the digital economy and enable them to compete in national and international labour markets.
“Our goal is to position the college as a modern institution that responds to the needs of society while producing graduates with relevant skills, innovation and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.
Beyond academics, the Provost said the college was strengthening efforts to conserve indigenous plant species through its nursery, where seedlings of trees such as tamarind, baobab (Adansonia digitata) and borassus were being cultivated.
He said; “the institution planned to establish a conservation plantation to preserve indigenous tree species that were gradually disappearing from the environment.”
“Even if these trees disappear from the wild, future generations will still be able to find and study them here,” he said.
Dr Abdullahi also highlighted efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship and practical skills acquisition through partnerships with six to seven organisations, saying every student receives training in income-generating ventures, including soap production, to enhance self-reliance after graduation.
He stressed that the college had expanded its community engagement through a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to implement an out-grower scheme for maize and soybean production.
According to him, participating farmers receive improved seeds, fertiliser and agrochemicals free of charge through the college’s consultancy services, while the organisation guarantees to purchase harvested produce at prevailing market prices.
Dr Abdullahi said; “more than 100 farmers drawn from the host communities and members of staff were participating in the pilot phase, with the college providing technical supervision throughout the farming season.”
He said the initiative was intended to improve livelihoods while supporting agricultural transformation in the region.
