Agricultural Revolution: CACORP, UNIZIK Turning Ideas into Harvest
By Chidolue, Patrick
The Centre for Agripreneur and Cooperative Research/Practice (CACORP), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in collaboration with Teva Foods from Jos, Plateau State, recently hosted its inaugural Capacity Building Workshop and Practical Field Session themed “Sustainable Veggie Farming: Turning Your Ideas into Harvest.” The event recently took place in the Board Room, Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
In his opening remarks, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Stanley Bond Anyaehie commended Dr Nma Okechukwu Okoroji, the pioneer Director of CACORP, for this initiative aimed at exposing students to entrepreneurial ideas.
Professor Anyaehie shared insights from his visit to Israel, where he observed advanced farming techniques. He expressed his commitment to adopting similar approaches, particularly greenhouse farming, which he aims to establish as a flagship project for the year.
He announced plans to create a university company called “UNIZIK Farm and Agro Business” to ensure the productive use of the university’s 350 hectares of land. He highlighted Teva Foods as a key strategic partner in advancing agriculture in the Eastern region.
In her welcome address, Dr Nma Okechukwu Okoroji expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for approving the workshop and welcomed distinguished guests, including High Chief Arthur Mbuba, State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) in Anambra State; Dr Foster Ihejiofor, Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture in Anambra State; Mr Christian Udechukwu, Honourable Commissioner for Industry in Anambra State; Prof. Pius Vincent Okoye, Prof. Ibeneme and Mr Chima Christian, Co-Founder/CEO of Teva Foods, Jos.
Dr Okoroji remarked, “Welcome to this maiden edition of the CACORP Capacity Building Workshop and Practical Field Session, organised in collaboration with Teva Foods, Jos. Your presence today reflects our collective commitment to innovation, food security, and sustainable agricultural enterprise.”
The theme of the workshop, “Sustainable Veggie Farming: Turning Your Ideas into Harvest,” speaks directly to contemporary realities and opportunities. Globally, vegetable production has transformed into a vibrant economic sector capable of generating employment, enhancing nutrition, and driving value chains. From greenhouse horticulture in Europe to cooperative vegetable clusters in Africa and Asia, experience shows that well-nurtured ideas can yield both food and prosperity.
However, within our environment, challenges persist, including access to quality inputs, climate variability, post-harvest losses, and gaps in entrepreneurial skills. These barriers can deter participation, especially among young people. Yet, these same challenges also present opportunities for innovation, technology adoption, cooperative engagement, and enterprise development.
Dr Okoroji urged students and participants to view agriculture not merely as an academic subject but as a platform for wealth creation, societal service, and national transformation. “Agripreneurship is not about returning to the past; it is about building the future by applying intelligence, creativity, and technology to produce value. Whether through vegetable cultivation, processing, marketing, or logistics, there is room for your ideas to develop into sustainable livelihoods.”
She humorously noted that “Agriculture teaches patience because you cannot plant tomatoes today and harvest stew tomorrow.” This truth serves to remind us that productivity and prosperity require time, discipline, and commitment.
The workshop is designed to provide practical and technical insights, and Dr Okoroji encouraged active engagement: “I therefore encourage you to participate fully, ask questions, and engage actively in the field session. Let this experience inspire action beyond this venue. Turn what you learn into ventures, cooperatives, research initiatives, and solutions that benefit society.”
This maiden capacity-building program reflects CACORP’s vision and mission to transform knowledge into practical, profitable, and sustainable agribusiness outcomes. We plan to sustain this initiative quarterly, although participants should note that future editions may not be free, as we must maintain program sustainability and quality delivery. Our goal is to place Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, on the global map through CACORP activities and agricultural projects at our one-hectare farmland on the main campus, where we grow vegetables and other crops, and the 20 hectares at Umueje, where we cultivate coconut and plantain.
Dr Okoroji shared a scriptural reflection, reminding us that “humanity was placed in the garden to till it and keep it,” emphasising stewardship and productivity. She quoted Ecclesiastes 11:6, which encourages us to “sow diligently, for we do not know which effort will prosper; perhaps both.” She also referenced Genesis 8:22: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”
Mr Chima Christian, the CEO of Teva Foods, served as the guest speaker and delivered an insightful keynote address. He emphasised that creativity, innovative ideas, and realistic plans are essential for unlocking opportunities in agro-business. Mr Christian argued that Africa should not be associated with poverty, highlighting that Nigeria’s main challenge is not a shortage of land, but rather the underutilization of its resources. He specifically noted that UNIZIK has approximately 350 hectares of unused land, which could be leveraged to create a strong value chain aimed at eradicating poverty across the nation.
A significant announcement from Mr Christian involved Teva Foods offering startup capital of ₦500,000 to five students. To qualify for this funding, students must present a plot of land they own, along with a viable business plan. This initiative encourages students to take immediate action on their entrepreneurial ideas.
Engr. Ekeh Christian represented High Chief Arthur Mbuba, the Anambra State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Abuja. He described the workshop as timely, particularly as it provides an opportunity for the youth to channel their energy and ideas into enterprises aimed at eliminating poverty.
During the question-and-answer session organised by the UNIZIKFM, a 300-level student from the Department of Food Sciences and Technology, Master Nwonne Obinna Ekpe, along with a 200-level student from the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, shared their thoughts on the workshop. They described it as insightful and beneficial, emphasising the importance of meeting and engaging with like-minded individuals to address the challenges in the sector.
The workshop included a practical field session in which Miss Chukwuleta Nmesomachukwu Esther, a 300-level student of Cooperative Economics and Management, delivered the vote of thanks during the farming activities. She is also one of the students whose pumpkin leaves are thriving in the practical exercises taking place at the demonstration farm.
Workshop attendees were Prof. Pius V. C. Okoye, Prof. Francis O. Nwankwo, Prof. Titus C. Okeke, Prof. I.D. O Chilokwu, Prof. Felix Echekoba, Prof. Nkechi Ojiagu, Prof. Ogochukwu T. Ibeneme from the Department of Technical Education; Prof. Nkiru T. Meludo, Immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture; Dr Ogochukwu Okafor, HOD of the Department of Cooperative Economics and Management and others.