A renowned expert in Olericulture from the Department of Horticulture, College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT), Professor Eyitayo Makinde has emphasised the importance of consuming vegetables to human health, adding that growing it luxuriously would surely enhance vegetable completeness as a food package.
Professor Makinde, who stated this while delivering the 96th inaugural lecture of the institution entitled, ‘Vegetables: The Complete Food Package,’ noted that vegetables were essential components in tropical cropping systems for meeting complete food needs, encouraging people to grow vegetables for personal consumption.
He highlighted the benefits of reducing mineral fertiliser usage by incorporating organic sources in vegetable cultivation, adding that intercropping vegetables in cropping systems could be sustainable with organic sources like crop residues and animal waste.
The don proposed that the university’s Extension/Research Unit could lead initiatives to promote vegetable farming among youths, women, and unemployed individuals.
To increase vegetable cultivation, Professor Makinde suggested partnerships with local government authorities in the South West of Nigeria and recommended leveraging state government agricultural agencies for distribution and marketing.
He recommended the use of natural organic Rock Phosphates as a substitute for inorganic phosphorus when planting vegetables.
In his remarks, the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Babatunde Kehinde, commended Professor Makinde for his expertise and dedication to sharing knowledge with students, acknowledging his significant contributions to the field of Olericulture.
Present at the lecture were the vice chancellor, Babcock University, Professor Ademola Tayo and wife; former acting vice chancellor, Professor Ololade Enikuomehin; former deputy vice chancellor (academic), Professor Morenike Dipeolu; former deputy vice chancellor (Development), Professor Clement Adeofun, among others.
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