History of the Department
The Department of Crop Production was established in 2009 to commence a 5 or 4-year academic programme for UTME and Direct Entry candidates, respectively leading to the award of Bachelor of Agriculture (B. Agric.) degree in Crop Production and Crop Protection options. The goal of the department is to actualize and advance the academic excellence mission of the Kwara State University, which is, to “innovatively empower, through agriculture, and produce skilled manpower of global standard’’. The department also provides the enabling environment to academic staff for Teaching, Research and Community Development to enhance agricultural production and the standard of living of the farmers. Also, in accordance with the National Universities Commission (NUC) Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS), the Department of Crop Production has the manpower and basic facilities to train Postgraduate students for the award of M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Agronomy, Soil Science, Entomology and Weed Science. The commencement of the proposed Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) by the NUC will pave the way for the department to run three additional 4-year progammes at the undergraduate level, namely, B.Sc. Crop Science, Soil Science, Horticulture and Landscape Management.
Vision Statement
To produce competent middle and high-level manpower who can be job creators by setting up agricultural enterprises all over Nigeria, and be available for teaching, research and technology development, thereby meeting KWASU’s overall goal of being a World-Class University.
Future Direction of the Department
The department is evolving rapidly and is conscious of the need for periodic review of its curriculum to reflect advances in technology in order to meet contemporary challenges. The department is also thinking of further splitting into two to increase areas of specialization to adequately equip our students for the task of making Kwara State and Nigeria self-sufficient in food production. The commencement of the CCMAS will make this dream realizable. The department will get involved in more community development activities that will lead to the amelioration of the standard of living of the host community.