A G Leventis always knew that there would come a time when Nigeria would have to return to an economy based on agriculture. It was A G Leventis last wish to create a foundation to ensure this trasition takes place.

The overall objective of the foundation is to attract youths into agriculture as well as, train and support them to adopt improved, eco-friendly farming practices, and technology aimed at reducing drudgery while but increasing the national food/fibre basket and ensuring enhanced sustainable livelyhood for the farming families.

To date seven schools have been established in Nigeria and Ghana specialising in innovative ways of training small scale farmers to improve productivity, efficiency and environmental sensitivity, taking advantage of the latest research at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and elsewhere. The trainees spend a year at the schools and then, returning to their farms and communities, are advised and supported by the schools' extension programmes.

By their example, they transfer their skills to other farmers in their area, whilst the schools also organise short training courses and farmers' field days for the surrounding communities. The Foundation is also a prime mover in the preservation of natural resources in co-operation with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation. A major contribution in this field involves the construction of a Resources Centre at Okomu, in a government-protected high rainfall forest area in Edo State and the setting up of an agro-forestry conservation programme for local farmers.

The Foundation supports and finances ad-hoc but strategic initiatives that can improve agricultural education and training towards a sustainable development of the agriculture and rural sector of the economy in the sub-region.

The Foundation develops and publishes periodicals and magazines, especially those aimed at improving the performance of small scale framers.

www.leventisfoundationnigeria.org