By Felicia Imohimi
The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arzikin Noma Nigeria Ltd to jointly manage and implement the Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate (RHMFE) project.
The initiative seeks to attract youths to farming, improve productivity, curb migration, and boost agricultural exports.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Mr Cornelius Adebayo, said the farm estate, covering 5,000 hectares, is designed to build sustainable rural communities that meet the aspirations of the new generation.
He said the mega farm estate, to be managed by Arzikin Noma, is located in Ora, Kwara, while similar projects are also being developed in Ekiti and Bauchi States.
Adebayo said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially the drive to make agriculture more attractive to young Nigerians.
“On average, each farmer will have at least five hectares because the project is fully mechanised. There will be a mechanisation hub within the cluster to provide tractor services and other equipment to farmers,” he said.
He explained that the partnership would promote higher productivity, strengthen monitoring and evaluation, improve extension services, and ensure operations are conducted according to international best practices.
“It will also help address rural-urban migration, mitigate security challenges, and position Nigeria as a global hub for agricultural production.
“This project will contribute to creating the much-needed middle class that Nigeria has lacked for years,” Adebayo said.
He noted that NALDA provided the land and other facilities such as hostels, an administrative block, warehouses, a police post, and recreational facilities, while Arzikin Noma would handle full project management.
According to him, site clearing for the farm estate is ongoing, while construction of the hostels and administrative block is at an advanced stage.
Adebayo described Arzikin Noma as a reliable partner committed to ensuring quality input and output.
He said the company would finance participating farmers, provide inputs, and oversee farm operations.
“This initiative is designed to make farming attractive to Nigerian youth. This is the era of what we call ‘sexy agriculture,’ and NALDA is at the forefront of that transformation,” he said.
Adebayo added that Arzikin Noma was selected to execute the Kwara cluster based on its strong performance in previous federal government programmes.
“The organisation will provide irrigation tools, aggregation services, and management support to farmers.
“Other partners will include government agencies, the private sector, and international development funds,” he added.
In his remarks, Mr Michael Adeshola, Group Managing Director of Arzikin Noma, said the company’s business model focuses on supporting smallholder farmers to create jobs and achieve tractorisation sufficiency in agricultural production.
“We will promote climate-smart agriculture, deploy technology, and guarantee offtake arrangements to help reduce rural-urban migration,” he said.
Adeshola added that the partnership would ensure sustainability and continuity by bringing together government, private sector, and development partners under a single framework.
“This collaboration will strengthen food sovereignty and position Nigeria as a model for other African countries.
“Our goal is to transform the food system, reduce food importation, and move towards becoming a net exporter.
“In the long run, this will close the gap in foreign direct investment and create an enabling environment for young people, women, and the less privileged,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
