Department of Agronomy, Michael Okpara University Of Agriculture

ltural plant production systems that are profitable, environmentally sound, socially responsive, and sustainable. This is the first Department of Agronomy among Nigerian Universities and was established in 1967 where the Postgraduate School is now located. The present location was occupied in 1978. Before the institution of the National University Commission’s Minimum Academic Standards in 1989 and which the Faculty began operating in the 1992/93 session, the Department offered three options at the first degree i.e. level: Soil Science, Crop Science and Horticulture. Following the NUC intervention, there is at present only one first degree option: B. Agric. (Crop and Soil Sciences). Since 1967, the Department had produced 1,015 First Degree graduates; 750 M.Sc.; 41 M.Phil. and 137 Ph.D. There are exciting opportunities for those that would like a career in the core agricultural production systems of the world. Areas of training at the postgraduate level include: Soil Sciences (Soil Fertility, Soil Microbiology, Soil Physics and Water Relations, Soil Survey and Classification, Soil Minerology, Soil Chemistry, Land Use Planning, Pedology and Agrometeorology/Agricultural Systems simulation models); Agricultural Mechanization (Ergonomics, Farm Machinery/Tillage and Irrigation); Crop Sciences (Biochemistry, Field Crops Production, Pasture Agronomy, Seed Science and Technology, Plant Breeding, Weed Science, Farming Systems, Plant Nutrition and Crop Physiology); and Horticultural Sciences (Pomology, Olericulture, Post-Harvest Processing and Landscaping). We are endowed with a variety of resources both within the immediate University environment and the country at large. Needless to say, our country is uniquely blessed with different agro-climatic conditions (temperate inclusive, though largely tropical) which makes agronomic research extremely exciting. Many nationals from outside Nigeria have been trained in our Department. Some of our graduates are occupying prominent positions in many parts of the world in both developed and developing countries. Our trainers are very prominent in many International and National agencies as consultants. We maintain collaborative linkages with other institutions within and outside the country. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan is one of such institute. The Department houses a Soil Museum containing soil monoliths from southern Nigeria. Recently, we received support to resuscitate our old Tissue Culture Laboratory, one of the first in the country. We pride ourselves in working as a family with strong, progressive relationships among trainers and with the trainees. Our common point of convergence usually climaxes in a “happy hour” at weekly academic seminars. There is another well established social get-together at the end or beginning of every year. We are building a rich heritage, which will continue to advance agronomic research and provide a curriculum that allows graduates to contribute to the advancement and/or utilization of new knowledge. The future is bright for graduates of our programmes. There are ample job, including self-employment, opportunities which are not restricted to agronomic work alone. You are therefore welcome to the dynamic team.