The Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH), a 17-year-old institution, has established a strong reputation as a center of excellence in agriculture, technology, and management for innovation, food sufficiency, and self-employment.
Contrary to the perception that the college is solely focused on theory, OYSCATECH has demonstrated its commitment to practical training, research, and community engagement through its numerous achievements over the years.
“As a tertiary institution with specialization in training for innovation, food sufficiency, and self-employment, OYSCATECH can boast of competent hands who are saddled with training and character molding for the youths to be worthy in learning and character,” said Opeyemi Olawore, the Public Relations Officer of the college.
OYSCATECH has collaborated with various international organizations, including Michigan State University, USA, the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), the University of Ibadan, and Winrock International, on projects ranging from Agric. Youth Lab, Cassava Adding Value for Africa (CAVA), Integrated Fish Farming, and Bee Keeping.
The college is currently among six selected schools in the Southwest region participating in the Women in Agriculture and Technical Education and Apprenticeship in Nigeria (WATEA) project, sponsored by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This project will provide training for 3,000 women in cassava value chain processing, fisheries, and poultry production, with 500 young women from OYSCATECH set to benefit.
Additionally, OYSCATECH has secured the approval of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to train artisans on the Skill-Up Artisan Project (SUPA) in 17 trades and enterprises, showcasing its commitment to community development.
The college’s collaborations with industry players, such as Obasanjo Farm Nigeria Limited, Psaltry International, and IITA, have resulted in the recruitment of OYSCATECH graduates, who are widely dispersed across Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, providing the much-needed middle-level manpower in agriculture and industry.
“Without being immodest, under the past administration in Oyo State, OYSCATECH was the lead agency on Oyo State Agricultural Initiative (OYSAI) project, and we got up to Fifteen Million Naira (#15M) for the training in Aawe and Paago in Iseyin for the training and flag-off of the project, over twelve years ago,” Olawore added.
Despite facing challenges such as insufficient land, lack of compensation for acquired land, and lack of irrigation, OYSCATECH remains committed to expanding its reach and impact. The college is exploring collaborations with the Chartered Institute of Commerce of Nigeria and has already cultivated plots for yam, tomato, pepper, and cassava.
“Together we can make Oyo State great, actualize the vision of food sufficiency in our State and return the lost glory, therefore, let us join hands with the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, a renowned training center for youth for innovation, food sufficiency, and self-employment,” Olawore concluded.
