Ondo State has approved the development of a $42m agricultural city expanding food production, boosting rural employment, and strengthening investor confidence in the state’s agribusiness sector.
The initiative, known as the Ondo Agricultural City, has been approved by the state governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and will be located in Iju-Agbonrin/Ori-Ohin in Ose local government area.
The project is being undertaken by KONIG Agriculture Ltd under the supervision of the Federal Government’s Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-intensive Agriculture (FRILIA) initiative.
The state commissioner for agriculture and forestry, Mr Leye Akinola, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, shortly after signing a land-lease agreement between community landowners and KONIG Agriculture Ltd.
He stated that the project would attract more investors to the state’s agribusiness sector, adding that the government remained committed to creating an enabling environment for agricultural ventures to thrive.
According to Akinola, the agricultural city is expected to accelerate food production, stimulate economic growth, and reduce unemployment and insecurity in surrounding communities.
He added that the state government would continue to partner with credible investors willing to support agricultural transformation efforts.
The commissioner explained that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry would act as guarantor for the land-owning families, in line with FRILIA’s requirement for transparent and responsible land acquisition. He noted that the northern senatorial district would experience significant agricultural expansion, including the revival of the moribund Akunnu cattle ranch built during the old Western Region era.
In her remarks, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mrs Foluke Tunde-Daramola, urged host communities to mobilise their youths and women to prepare for the job opportunities the project would create.
She assured that the agricultural city would contribute to reducing unemployment and improving the livelihoods of residents across the district.
The project lead of KONIG Agriculture Ltd, Mr Oluwasegun Saliu, commended the state government for supporting the initiative and confirmed that more than 60 per cent of the workforce would be recruited from the host communities.
He said the company would also invest in corporate social responsibility projects, including boreholes, solar power installations, and a health facility that will serve both the farm and the wider public.
A representative of the FRILIA initiative, Mrs Justina Arogundade, explained that the framework ensures responsible large-scale agricultural investment by promoting community consultation, environmental sustainability, fair compensation, and mutual benefits for both investors and residents.
Source: Punch News
Image Credit: Premium Times
