There is no gainsaying that Landmark University is actualizing her overarching vision of agrarian revolution most rapidly as farmers, agripreneurs, and future agriculture practitioners – the senior secondary school students – were undoubtedly impacted at the Town-Gown Symposium under the aegis of the College of Agricultural Sciences on Tuesday 13th February 2018.

Second in the series, the symposium which was themed “Agricultural Revolution Impact: Roadmaps and Prospects” held at the University’s International Conference Centre. Since inception, it has been a platform for sustainable agricultural development; meeting the needs of immediate farmers, transmitting new discoveries in agricultural practices to them and galvanizing youth involvement in agriculture. 

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adeniyi Olayanju lamented the incapacity of Africa to feed herself, noting the impact of food insecurity, chronic poverty rate and alarming unemployment index on the image of the continent. He said that it is high time the challenges were addressed through positive mindset and vigorous collaborative efforts. “Hence, the vision of Landmark University as an institution was born out of a passion for change from unsatisfactory status quo and uncomplimentary identity of Africa to unprecedented transformation of the black race in the scheme of development across the globe.”

He added that, “In line with our motto of breaking new grounds, we crave as a community to see this change take place in our land and in our time. We are committed to making agriculture a more attractive and profitable venture.” 

In furtherance to the University’s call for all hands to be on deck to restore the dignity of the black race, Professor Olayanju said that the University stands as a fulcrum for social change and as a giant’s shoulder ready to raise farmers and the younger generation to see further.

“This workshop (is) to further ventilate ideas from the past farming experience to the present crucial reflection time with a view to roadmap together in a strategic and professional manner for eventual boost in agricultural productivity in the next farming season. 

“It is our hope that as Town meets Gown, communal intellect will complement academic dexterity required to maximize the role of a University and its attendant dividends to its host community in particular and the humanity in general by reason of its research output and community services,” he concluded.

Also speaking, the Registrar, Dr. Azubuike Ezenwoke reiterated the uniqueness of the University’s goal which is to spark off agrarian revolution. He said, “Our goal is not to have a farm, our goal is to inspire persons to embrace agriculture as we discover new ways of practicing agriculture and also transmitting the knowledge to the farmers. As more people embrace agriculture, that is how we can achieve our vision,” believing that many ideas grow better when transplanted into another mind.

He, therefore, expressed confidence in the outcome of the conversation being sparked off by the symposium if it would continue beyond the walls of the University even to generations to come.

Earlier on, while welcoming participants, the Dean, College of Agricultural, Professor Charity Aremu, had stimulated them towards the realization of unhindered cascading of ideas, noting that the symposium would be a mutual agricultural gathering where no issue would be left untouched. 

“I believe everyone, especially our students will be greatly impacted because I know by this meeting, you will be catching a vision on non-drudgery agricultural practice. “For our agricultural science teachers, it will make their teaching robust and for us in the College of Agricultural Sciences, we are here fulfilling the real value of the University. Our responsibility is to connect the young generation to agriculture and make the profit out of it.”

Seven resource persons facilitated the symposium with the Vice-Chancellor taking the lead with his paper titled, “Landmark University Vision Mandate.” In succession, others were Professor R.D. Olarinoye of the Physics Department – “Landmark University Agrarian Revolution: Attitudinal Approach and the Way Forward”, Hon. Engr. David Aremu (a renowned farmer in Kwara State) – “Farmer’s Attitudinal Approach”, Dr. John Izebere, Director Landmark University Farms – “Driving Agro-Revolution: LMU Commercial Farm Platform”, Professor D.K. Ojo, IITA-Ibadan – “Agripreneurial Protocols in Enhancing Profitability”, Professor C.O. Akinbile of Agric. & Biosystems Department – “Role of Engineering in Agripreneurial Pursuits”, and Professor C.O. Aremu, DCAS – Translational Agriculture Impact and Productivity”.

In response to some of the questions raised by the farmers, youths and students, the University named fodder and silage making as remedy to farmers-herdsmen’s clash and promised access to the University farmland especially in the out grower scheme. The University promised access to improved seedlings for improved yield and access to the University for further enquiry and student excursion with a view to making agriculture attractive and profitable. Also, the University guaranteed the establishment of a well facilitated tractor and equipment hiring unit and incubation centres which would cater for farmers’ mechanization needs. 

Farmers therefore looked forward with great expectations while expressing satisfaction on the import of the symposium. They appreciated management for the initiative that provided the opportunity to improve their lives.