The Faculty of Agriculture has increased its enrolment from 724 in 2009 to 1,028, an increase of nearly 42 percent. Above all, the current undergraduate population of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources stands at 2,194 which is a significant increase over previous years. This was made known by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. K. K. Adarkwa during the 44th congregation held for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources on Wednesday, June 23,2010.
Prof. Adarkwa hinted that the increment in the population of the college was due to the initiative of the University in mounting new market driven programmes such as Agribusiness Management, Dairy and Meat science and Technology, Agricultural Biotechnology as well as Landscape Design and Management.
The Vice Chancellor, presenting his report to the congregation, noted that in spite of the numerous challenges facing the college, it has made tremendous impact with its limited resources. He said that the Department of Animal Science raised 2,500 broilers for sale to the University Community. Again the Department of crop and Soil Sciences cultivated four hectares of maize and harvested 150 mini bags of maize which were sold to the Department of Animal Science for the feeding of animals.
He said, the Department of Horticulture established a turf grass nursery as well as nurseries for ornamental plants and fruits. The College has also witnessed some infrastructural development such as the completion of its training centre funded by NUFFIC, renovation works at the Sunyani Campus, drilling of bore holes among others.
The Overall Best Student in the College, Miss Sarah Adjei Fremah in her valedictory speech encouraged her colleague graduands not to be deterred by the challenges they would face in the corporate world but to persevere. She also challenged them to be mindful of their behavior since they do not live for themselves alone but for others as well.
The Motivational speaker, I. K. Twum advised the graduands not to think of solely being employed by organisations but also to think of establishing their own businesses. He noted that they have the requisite skills and with less capital they can venture into any agricultural business of their choice.
Using his own life story as an example, he said with the little money he accrued during his national service. He started his own poultry farm with 75 birds and is now reaping huge benefits and has employed others as well.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources presented 483 students from the three faculties for graduation. Out of this number, 22 graduated with First Class honours, with 261 had Second Class (Upper Division) category. 168 of the graduands earned Second Class (Lower Division) degree with only 6 earning pass from the Diploma programme.
