The Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology (FCAPT), Kano, has recorded significant achievements in academic expansion, infrastructure development, and community-based training initiatives under the leadership of its Provost, Dr. Muhammad Yusha’u Gwaram, who assumed office in September 2020. Established with a mandate to produce skilled manpower in agricultural produce inspection, post-harvest handling, storage, processing, and value addition, FCAPT also undertakes training, extension services, and applied research aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and promoting food security in Nigeria. In an interview with newsmen in Kano, the Provost, Dr. Muhammad Yusha’u, said the college has made remarkable progress toward fulfilling its mandate over the past five years. Related: Provost Gwaram Unveils FCAPT Progress, Seeks Urgent Completion of Bunkure Campus “We are proud of the journey so far. FCAPT is gradually emerging as a center of excellence in agricultural value addition and post-harvest technology,” Dr. Gwaram stated. He noted that under his leadership, the college had secured the accreditation and introduction of new Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, including Crop Production Technology, Food Science and Technology, Agricultural Business, Statistics, Animal Production Technology, Software and Web Development, Networking and Cloud Computing, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Cooperative Economics and Management. These complement the existing accredited HND programmes in Agricultural Extension and Management, Pest Management Technology, and Computer Science. The college also offers National Diploma (ND) programmes in Agricultural Technology, Horticultural Technology, Animal Health and Production Technology, Computer Science, Statistics, Science Laboratory Technology, and Food Science and Technology, along with certificate courses in Food Storage Technology and Produce Inspection. Read Also: Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Appointed Chancellor of Northwest University, Kano Dr. Gwaram emphasized that these academic improvements have increased student enrolment and enhanced the college’s capacity to produce self-reliant graduates, equipped to meet the manpower needs of the agricultural sector across the country. FCAPT, with its standard campuses located in Barkum (Bunkure Local Government Area), Hotoro (in Kano City), and Dan Hassan (Kura Local Government Area), has graduated hundreds of students who now serve in both public and private agricultural sectors across Nigeria. These campuses form part of the institution’s broad reach in ensuring quality agricultural education and training within Kano State and beyond. He further highlighted key infrastructure upgrades at the institution, including the renovation of classrooms, hostels, the college clinic, and sanitary facilities. A 24-hour water supply system and the installation of a 33KVA transformer funded through internally generated revenue, have significantly improved the learning environment. Solar power systems have also been installed in the Provost’s Office, College Library, and Clinic to ensure uninterrupted administrative and academic operations. On outreach and capacity-building, the Provost stated that the college had partnered with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to train stakeholders on the value addition of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP). Another major programme trained 50 women on tomato processing into juice, jam, and paste, with a view to promoting food security and local enterprise. “We’ve trained over 32,000 youth across Nigeria in post-harvest and agricultural value chain skills,” Dr. Gwaram said. “Our goal is to reach 50,000 beneficiaries nationwide before the end of my tenure.” He also disclosed that FCAPT had trained farmers on financial cycle management and enterprise development, and provided two greenhouses for student training. The college’s meteorological station has been renovated and equipped with modern tools for effective data collection and climate monitoring. In partnership with the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), FCAPT is currently running specialized training in meat and milk hygiene, artificial insemination, and veterinary laboratory operations. In line with its environmental sustainability goals, Dr. Muhammad Yusha’u said the college will soon collaborate with the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACRESAL) project in the area of tree planting for desertification control and urban beautification. Dr. Gwaram noted that similar projects had previously been carried out by the college in some Kano secondary schools, where students were engaged in planting tree seedlings around school premises and residential areas to promote environmental awareness. Dr. Gwaram added that 13 academic staff have completed their PhDs and 33 others earned their Master’s degrees under his administration. Staff promotions and welfare packages have also been prioritized to boost morale and institutional growth. Significantly, these strides align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes food security and agricultural transformation as core pillars of national development. “As a federal institution, FCAPT is committed to supporting Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda by building the technical capacity needed to drive food security, reduce unemployment, and sustain agro-industrial innovation,” Dr. Gwaram added. The college’s achievements under Dr. Gwaram have been recognized by stakeholders, development partners, and government agencies as a model of effective leadership in Nigeria’s agricultural education sector.
