Ondo Accesses $200 Million for Agriculture, to Create 3000 Jobs

In a major boost to the state’s economy, the Ondo State Government has secured a $200 million agricultural project, which is expected to create over 3,000 jobs and transform the agricultural sector in the Southern Senatorial District.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Mr. Wemimo Akinsola, the project will be implemented on 10,000 hectares of land acquired by the Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC) under the land banking scheme.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure on Friday, Akinsola explained that the initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Commonwealth Women’s Network, aims to drive industrial-scale agriculture and economic development in the region.

“The project will encompass planting, production, processing, packaging, and marketing, transforming the 10,000 hectares into a key agricultural hub in the Southern Senatorial District,” he said.

Akinsola noted that the selected location provides access to water, which is essential for successful agricultural activities, and that the project aligns with the Ondo State Government’s vision of positioning the state as a leading agribusiness hub in Nigeria.

The Ondo State Government has been working tirelessly to revolutionize the agricultural sector, with the establishment of the OSAEC as a key component of this effort. The agency serves as a skill acquisition center for unemployed youths and functions as an agricultural business arm, without direct involvement in production, to facilitate a positive turnaround in the economic situation of the state.

The $200 million project is expected to benefit both smallholder farmers and large-scale investors, providing them with modern agricultural techniques, improved productivity, and access to global markets.

The Commonwealth Women’s Network is providing funding, training, and technical expertise for the project, with the goal of making farming more accessible and sustainable.

According to Mr. Niba Louis, Cabinet Director of the Commonwealth Women’s Network, the initiative aims to employ over 3,000 workers, primarily farmers, enhancing their productivity rather than replacing them.

“We are excited to partner with the Ondo State Government on this project, which has the potential to transform the lives of thousands of people in the state,” Louis said.

Farmers in the state have expressed their excitement about the project, with Mr. Shola Adeniyan, a farmer, urging his fellow farmers to embrace the opportunity and maximize the use of the available land.

“This project is a game-changer for us farmers,” Adeniyan said. “We are eager to work with the government and the Commonwealth Women’s Network to make this project a success.”

The $200 million project is expected to be completed in phases, with the first phase focusing on the development of infrastructure, including roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities. The second phase will focus on the planting and production of crops, while the third phase will focus on processing, packaging, and marketing.

The project is expected to create over 3,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, and will contribute significantly to the state’s economy.

The Ondo State Government has committed to providing the necessary support for the project, including funding, technical expertise, and infrastructure. The government has also established a project implementation committee to oversee the project and ensure its successful completion.

With the $200 million agricultural project, Ondo State is poised to become a major player in the agricultural sector, not just in Nigeria but in the entire West African region.

The project has the potential to transform the lives of thousands of people in the state, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.