Horticulture and Landscaping Technology

DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE AND LANDSCAPE TECHNOLOGY AKANU IBIAM FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, UNWANA

1.0       BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE AND LANDSCAPE TECHNOLOGY

The Department of Horticulture and Landscape started as an option under the Department of Agricultural Technology in 2012/2013 academic session after successful resource inspection by NBTE, with twenty (20) students. The Department was separated from their mother Department to stand as an independent Department in 2014/2015 academic session and Mr. Essien, Bassey Archibong became the pioneer Departmental Head. The first set of National Diploma (ND) students was fourteen (14) in number, out of which thirteen (13) graduated. By 2015/2016 academic session, a considerable number of students, numbering about sixty eight (68 were admitted).

In 2016, the Department was granted initial accreditation for National Diploma by NBTE. This was made possible by the then Rector, Ven.  O. Ibe-Enwo and his management team. From its inception till date, the Department has not relented in discharging  its core mandates of modernizing horticultural production, capacity building  and turning out competent scholars who have become not only self-sustainable, but key drivers in job creation in the field of Horticulture and Landscape Technology. Currently, the Department and the Management of the school are working assiduously to ensure the smooth take off of Higher National Diploma (HND) programme in the school in the near future.

2.0 BENEFITS OF STUDYING HORTICULTURE AND LANDSCAPE TECHNOLOGY

The National Diploma programme in Horticulture and Landscape Technology is designed to produce Horticultural Technicians who are self-reliant, skilled and capable of adopting and imparting modern techniques in horticultural production. A product of National Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Technology programme should be able to:

1. 1. Establish horticultural farm enterpris
2. 2. Employ modern techniques in horticultural crops production.
3. 3. Assist in processing, storage, and marketing of horticultural produce.
4. 4. Assist in pest and disease managemen
5. 5. Carry out horticultural extension serv
6. 6. Carry out ornamental gardening and conservation prac
7. 7. Carry out basic field survey involving land measurements and field layou
8. 8. Join forces with a landscaping or construction company in the development of the site, such as any trees, flowers and plants.
9. Advise on the correct type of plants to use and the best ways to irrigate the soil
10. Know how to choose plants for a particular environment or soil type, and the nutrients that they need.
11. Be heavily involved in all aspects of landscaping care, including budget planning.

3.0 ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR NATIONAL AND HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES IN HORTICULTURE AND LANDSCAPE TECHNOLOGY.

1. NATIONAL DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

(1) Five credits level passes in the West Africa School Certificate (WASC), General Certificate of Education (GCE), Senior Secondary School Certificate  (SSSC)  or  National  Technical  Certificate  (NTC)  ordinary  level  in  not  more  than  two  sittings.  The subjects must include Biology/Agricultural Science, Chemistry and any three of the following: Geography, Mathematics, Economics, Technical Drawing, Physics and English language. At least, a pass in English language and Mathematics is compulsory.

(2) Candidates who have successfully completed the Board’s recognized pre-National Diploma (Science and Technology) course may be admitted into the Programme. Such students must have passed Biology/Agricultural Science, Chemistry, Mathematics, English language and any one of the following subjects: Economics, Technical Drawing, Physics and Geography at WASC, GCE, SSSC, or NTC O’ Level before undertaking the course

1. HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
2. Any of the requirements for admission into the ND in Agric. Tech., Forestry Wildlife.
3. A Minimum of lower credit pass at ND in agric. Tech. Forestry, Wildlife Management, Horticulture and Allied disciplines obtained from NBTE recognized College of Agriculture or Polytechnic.

iii. A minimum of one year cognate experience. In exceptional cases, National Diploma with a pass grade in ND exam that has two or more years cognate experience in the specific field may be considered for admission into any of the HND programmes.

4.0 HEADSHIP OF THE DEPARTMENT

From inception till date, the Department has had two Heads. The pioneer Head of Department was Mr Essien Bassey who led the Department from inception till 2022/2023 academic session.   Dr. Donatus E.O. Azu was appointed the Acting Head of the Department by the Rector, Dr. F.U. Attah at the commencement of 2023/2023 academic session and Dr. Donatus Azu is still the Head of the Department.

1. ESSIEN BASSEY DONATUS. E.O.AZU (PhD