Dr. Polycarp Etim Asuquo Joins JTR Editorial Board

The Life and Achievements of Dr. Polycarp Etim Asuquo

The journey of Asuquo Polycarp Etim started in a lively community in the middle of Nigeria. It would last for decades and be marked by commitment to agricultural science, education, and community service. Born during a time of change, Asuquo spent his early years in the rural areas of Nigeria, where he formed a deep relationship with the land and a lifelong interest in new ways to improve farming.

Education and Early Career

Asuquo had a very interesting and varied school career. An interest in agricultural science led him to study in Romania for his college degree. There, he wrote his thesis on “Soil Mapping and Fertilizer Recommendation for Farm No. 1 Afumat Romania.” This trip abroad not only helped him learn more about other subjects, but it also helped him understand how farming is done around the world better.

Once Asuquo got back to Nigeria, he continued his education and wrote a paper called “Studies on Seedling and Pod Rot of Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L) Walp) caused by Fungi.” His study dealt with important problems in agriculture, which shows how much he cared about increasing crop yields and fighting plant diseases.

Professional Contributions and Research

During his work, Asuquo held a number of important positions and made important contributions in both government and academia. He quickly rose through the ranks at the Cross River Ministry of Agriculture, where he started as an Agricultural Officer II and ended up being the NAFPP Coordinator for the whole state. One of his jobs was to run the National Accelerated Food Production Program, which shows how good a leader he was and how much he knew about agricultural growth.

After that, Asuquo worked as a Project Officer for the Cross River Basin Development Authority, where he was in charge of big farming projects and taught new employees how to do their jobs. As a Subject Matter Specialist (Agronomy) for the Cross River State Agricultural Development Project and later the Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Development Project (AKADEP), he was in charge of setting up, maintaining, and evaluating adaptive studies on farms. He also led training lessons every two weeks that helped local farmers learn a lot and get better at what they did.

Academic Achievements and Teaching

After leaving the ministry, Asuquo went to work for the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, where he held a number of important roles. He helped shape the curriculum and guide the next generation of agricultural scientists as a Senior Lecturer in the Agricultural Education Department. After being promoted to Principal Lecturer and Dean of the School of Vocational and Technical Education, he was in charge of all academic events, led the school, and made sure that all students did well in school.

Asuquo was made Chief Lecturer in 2001. As part of this job, he taught classes in Agroclimatology, Field Crop Production, Crop Protection, and Farm Power and Machinery. His time as Dean of the School of Vocational and Technical Education and then as Deputy Provost showed how good he was at running things and how committed he was to being an educational leader.

Publications and Conferences

Asuquo made many important and important advances to scholarship. His writings covered a lot of different subjects, from how well plant products work to get rid of pests to how farming affects society and the economy. Among his important works were

“The Effect of Application of Fertilizer on the Quality of Starch from Improved Variety of Cassava”
“Antimycotic Efficacy of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) and Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) Extracts in Cowpea Production”
“Enhancing National Development through Vocational and Technical Education”
He often talked about his study at national and international conferences, where he shared his ideas on new ways to teach and improve farming. Popular papers like “Development of Nigerian Agriculture: Which Way Forward” and “The Efficiency of Plant Extracts as Seed Treatment for the Control of Fungal Pathogens Causing Cowpea Mortality” made him a star in his field of thought.

Membership in Professional Bodies

Asuquo was an active member of numerous professional and international bodies, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and professional development. His affiliations included:

• Farm Management Association of Nigeria (FAMAN)
• National Farming System Research Network (NFSRN)
• West African Farming System Research Network (WAFSRN)
• Association of Farming Systems Research and Extension (AFSRE)
• Nigerian Society for Biological Conservation (NSBC)
• Association for the Advancement of Vocational Education in Nigeria (AAVEN)
• Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria (AESON)
• Educators Forum of Nigeria (EFON)

These memberships allowed Asuquo to stay at the forefront of agricultural research and education, ensuring that his work remained relevant and impactful.

Community Service and Extracurricular Activities

Through his work on many groups and community service projects, Asuquo showed how much he cared about his neighborhood. Between 1992 and 2012, he was the chairman of the Akwa Ibom Agricultural Development Program (AKADEP) Monthly Technology Review Meeting. He was also a go-to person for information on pests and farming.

In addition to working in agriculture, he was involved in educational forums and HIV/AIDS action committees. He had an impact on the standardization of educational tests in Nigeria as a JAMB test question writer and supervisor.

Legacy and Impact

When Asuquo Polycarp Etim’s legacy includes a never-ending quest for knowledge, a strong dedication to the growth of agriculture, and a huge effect on education and community work. His work filled the gap between theoretical study and real-world use, which helped students, farmers, and the community as a whole.

It is impossible to erase the impact that Asuquo had on the areas of agriculture and education through his writings, speeches at conferences, and membership in professional groups. His life shows how hard work, new ideas, and service can pay off. It encourages others to build on his successes and keep going in the direction of agricultural and educational greatness.