The Ondo State Government has acquired 10,000 hectares of land in Akotogbo and Iyansan, both in the state’s Southern Senatorial District, to establish a large-scale agricultural project aimed at boosting food production and economic growth.
The initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Commonwealth Women’s Network, is designed to empower women and youth by creating opportunities across the agricultural value chain, including cultivation, processing, packaging, and marketing.
Announcing the development yesterday in Akure, Wemimo Akinsola, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on agriculture and agribusiness, emphasised that the project is a key step in transforming the region into an agricultural powerhouse.
“This initiative is focused on women and youth, providing them with the tools and resources to engage in modern farming.
The project covers everything from planting to production, processing, packaging, and marketing,” Akinsola stated.
He highlighted the strategic advantage of the location, which has ample water resources for irrigation.
Additionally, with the planned deep seaport in the region and the existing airport in Akure, the state is positioning itself for the exportation of agricultural products.
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Akinsola further disclosed that the $200 million project, executed through the Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC) under the Land Banking Scheme, aligns with the government’s vision of making Ondo a leading agribusiness hub in Nigeria.
The initiative is expected to benefit both smallholder farmers and large-scale investors by introducing modern farming techniques and expanding access to global markets.
Speaking on behalf of the Commonwealth Women’s Network, Niba Louis, the Cabinet Director, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to providing funding, training, and technical expertise for the project.
He noted that the initiative is expected to create over 3,000 jobs, primarily for farmers, ensuring that agricultural workers remain integral to the project rather than being displaced.
“Our goal is to enhance farming productivity and make agriculture more accessible and sustainable for the people,” Louis said.
Local farmers have welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm.
Shola Adeniyan, a farmer from Ese Odo, expressed optimism about the project, noting that concerns over farmland scarcity are unfounded.
After visiting the proposed site, he encouraged fellow farmers to embrace the opportunity and maximize the use of the available land.
With this ambitious project, the state government is set to transform its agricultural landscape, creating new economic opportunities while strengthening food security in the region.
