Participants at the 42nd annual conference of the Horticultural Society of Nigeria have described horticulture as one of the largest areas within the crop-based component of agriculture that hosts the largest number of crop species ranging from fruits, vegetables and ornamental which need to be embraced.
The event was hosted by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of A.B.U Professor Kabiru Bala, reiterated that the field of agriculture is one of the major strength of the University.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Raymond Bako, the Vice-Chancellor expressed delight with the conference which he described as an avenue for participants to brainstorm on the heritage of agriculture in the University.
Prof. Bala enjoined the horticultural society to come up with papers that will stimulate discussions and proffer solutions to the agricultural problems facing the country.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Director, Division of Agricultural Colleges, Prof. Bashir A. Babaji, said the choice of the Samaru College of Agriculture for the 42nd Annual Conference is an honor not only to the College, but also to the Division and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as a whole.
The Director noted that the theme of the conference is apt, considering the national and global food crisis being experienced, which is due to inflation in the costs commodities, caused by high cost of Agric inputs, climate change and inconsistent government policies.
In a remark, the President-in-Council (PIC) of HORTSON, Prof. Rotimi Ipinmiroti, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for accepting to host the Conference.
Prof. Rotimi described ABU as the mother of all agricultural researches in the country, being the only institution in Nigeria that has everything that concerns agriculture.
He maintained that horticultural plants remain the surest solutions to poverty, considering the harsh economic situation.