By Segun Giwa

Ondo State Government says it has acquired 10,000 hectares of land in the Southern Senatorial District of the state for agricultural project.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Agriculture, Mr Wemimo Akinsola, said at a stakeholder’s meeting in Akure on Friday, that the initiative would focus on youth and women.

According to him, the initiative is undertaken in collaboration with the Commonwealth Women’s Network with the aim of empowering youths and women by providing opportunities within the agricultural sector.

Akinsola said that the $200 million project would drive industrial-scale agriculture and economic development in the region.

He said that the land, acquired through the Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC), under the land banking scheme, was expected to serve as a major agricultural hub.

He said that the project would cover planting, production, processing, packaging and marketing, transforming the 10,000 hectares into a major agricultural hub in the Southern Senatorial District.

“The selected location provides access to water, which is essential for successful agricultural activities.

“Additionally, with the planned seaport in the region and the existing airport in the state capital, the state is strategically preparing for the future exportation of agricultural products,” he said.

Akinsola said that the initiative aligned with the state government’s vision of making Ondo State a leading agribusiness hub in Nigeria.

He said that both smallholder farmers and large-scale investors would benefit from the modern agricultural techniques, global market access and improved productivity.

Also speaking, Mr Niba Louis, Cabinet Director, Commonwealth Women’s Network, said the organisation would provide the necessary funding, training and technical expertise for the project.

Louis explained that the initiative would employ over 3,000 workers, predominantly farmers, and would enhance their productivity rather than replacing them.

According to him, the goal is to make farming more accessible and sustainable.

A farmer, Mr Shola Adeniyan, expressed his excitement about the project, urging farmers to embrace the opportunity and make the best use of the available land. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni