FAIRMOUNT, N.D. (AP) — A farmer has done so well growing corn, soybeans and grains in North Dakota’s Red River Valley that he’s extending operations to Africa.

Willie Hardie’s family has been farming successfully in the valley since his great grandfather settled in Fairmount. Now he’s investing time, effort and money in Mozambique because he believes Africa will be a big player in future world food production.

He’s working with Aslan Global Management, a for-profit corporation investing millions of dollars to develop farmland there.

Minnesota Public Radio reports that Aslan has gotten a lease from the Mozambique government on 25,000 acres and plans to grow primarily soybeans and corns.

Hardie says he hopes to do some good in the poverty-stricken area, which he first visited five years ago.

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