agriculture
UNILORIN leases 10,000 hectares of land to Oriental for 21yrs
Aminat Isah, Abuja
Authority of University of Ilorin has leased 10, 000 hectares of land to Oriental Energy Resources (OER) Farms to practice mechanized agriculture in an effort to support Nigeria’s quest towards national food security and job creation.
The development of the 21-year leased land would be in accordance with best agricultural practices to increase farmers’ incomes and foreign exchange.
ROYAL NEWS reports that UNILORIN has a total land space of 75,000 hectares to become the largest in Nigeria.
The Chairman of Oriental Group of Companies, Dr. Muhammadu Indimi while signing the lease agreement in Maiduguri, explained that the aim of
development of the land is to support economic growth, and development of opportunities in agricultural sector.
He also disclosed that the varsity’s mechanized leased land is for massive production of maize, soya beans, cashew and shea nuts for both local consumption and export to earn more foreign exchange.
“Today’s agreement on leased land follows a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties last September. This underscores Federal Government’s progress towards national food security and job creation to address unemployment and imports of raw materials.
“Improved varieties and species of maize, cashew, soya beans and cashew are selected for the proposed agricultural development projects
in Kwara state.”
He further said the agricultural project is designed to develop the capacity of varsity in agricultural research as a way of improving best farm practices and crop yields.
According to Indimi, “young agripreneurs will provide new perspectives by promoting local inclusion to enhance economic growth and development, while the partnership will add value to the varsity’s Faculty of Agriculture through research support , and exposure of students to best industry practice in agriculture.
” Hands-on farm management experiences will encourage graduates to develop entrepreneurial skills, to reduce unemployment among
youths,” he said.
Responding, Vice-Chancellor of University, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem said agricultural sector development is critical for food security as it further aides the diversification of the economy while creating job opportunities.
The VC noted that the next phase of the project development programme will begin in first
quarter of 2020 with the collation of 10-year meteorological data.
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