A masterplan for the transformation of Kwara State into the agricultural hub of West Africa and create food security for the people is to be launched by the state government at Cornell University, New York on Friday.

Dubbed the Kwara State Agricultural Masterplan (KAMP), and designed by professors of Agriculture from Cornell University in partnership with those from the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University (KWASU), the blueprint contains a roadmap for enhancing Kwara State's capacity for agriculture-led development.

A statement issued by the state government in Ilorin said Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is expected to launch the masterplan and sign a memorandum of understanding with Cornell University to ensure the effective implementation of KAMP.

Also expected at the event are former governor of the state, Senator Bukola Saraki, Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, bank chieftains, captains of industry and leaders of agribusiness, investment banking, international trade/finance and agricultural packaging and technology sectors.

According to the statement, the event will also feature an exhibition of Kwara State's Agriculture sector profile and agribusiness opportunities in order to market the state's huge potential and successes in the area of agriculture. KAMP, according to the government, seeks to enhance the economic wellbeing and food security of the people of Kwara State through the establishment of an integrated agricultural sector that links farm communities, universities and industry-led agriculture and government agencies. It will also catalyse the establishment of a virtual Kwara State Agricultural City, under which agro-allied businesses will be established across the state through public-private partnership ventures.

The proposed launch KAMP follows the submission of the masterplan by the committee inaugurated by Ahmed in February with a mandate to come up with a blueprint to leverage pf Kwara's strength in agriculture to accelerate its economic growth.