COOU Partners SARBJJACK FARMS to Boost Food Security Through Plantation Project

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) has taken a significant step toward advancing agricultural innovation and food security through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SARBJJACK FARMS. The agreement, signed today, May 5, 2026, centers on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for the establishment of F1 hybrid plantain and Smooth Cayenne pineapple plantations within the University community.

Speaking during the event, the representative of SARBJJACK FARMS, Mr. Pat Nwume, described the partnership as timely and impactful. According to him, preliminary work on the project has already commenced, including land preparation through ploughing. “We are here to set up a plantain plantation and a pineapple plantation. We have done the preliminary by ploughing. We remain committed. The partnership is a good one and is going to be beneficial not only to the University but to the nation entirely,” he stated.

In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism about the collaboration, emphasizing its academic and practical value to the institution. She noted that the initiative aligns with the University’s vision of bridging theory and practice, particularly for students of the Faculty of Agriculture. “It is our dream that our Faculty of Agriculture learns from this SARBJJACK FARMS initiative. I specifically called on the Dean of Agriculture to be present because I expect innovation and novelty from the Faculty. I want them to surprise me,” she said.

The Vice-Chancellor further highlighted the relevance of the project to global development priorities, referencing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal on Zero Hunger. She reiterated the University’s commitment to promoting food security and contributing meaningfully to national development through strategic partnerships.

The COOU–SARBJJACK FARMS collaboration is expected to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students, enhance research capacity, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices, positioning the University as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.

COOUNewS, 2026.