Date: 2017-08-22

As part of efforts to end hunger and ensure food security in Africa through agriculture, Landmark University has unveiled a platform tagged: "Landmark Outgrowers Scheme" to employ graduates of Landmark University into various farming initiatives.

The University farm which is the largest private university farm in Nigeria with 1059 hectares of farm land commenced the outgrowers scheme with twenty hectares on the pilot phase at the University Farms at Eleyin, Irepodun Local Government of Kwara State.

According to the Director of Farms, Pastor John Izebere, the outgrowers scheme is designed to boost supply of raw materials to the Cassava Processing Unit of the University Farms while providing employment for graduates of Landmark University.

"With this scheme, we will provide land for farmers, give them our variety of cassava stem and they will supply our Cassava Processing Factory with their produce so that we can meet up with our market demands.

"Primarily this scheme is designed for our Pathfinders (Alunmi) who we want to encourage to practice agriculture. By extension, we shall involve some local farmers within our environment also as a way of strengthening the economy.

"The long term goal is to ensure surplus of food in Nigeria, encourage farming by addressing major challenges faced by farmers and improve standard of living of our community and the nation at large" he stated emphatically.

This development is coming at a crucial time where Nigeria is seeking to diversify the economy and agriculture has been a major sector of focus. The development from Landmark University positions Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic diversification, job creation and food security.