Ondo Declassifies 100,000 Hectares to Boost Industrial-Scale Agriculture

Ondo State has taken a major step toward agricultural transformation and economic diversification with the declassification of 100,000 hectares of land for the cultivation of oil palm, cashew and cocoa.

Governor of Ondo State, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, disclosed this on Wednesday during the groundbreaking ceremony of Noreta Farms, a technology-driven agribusiness initiative located at Owena-Idanre, off the Akure–Ondo Road.

The governor said the land declassification is aimed at deepening agricultural investment, expanding employment opportunities and positioning Ondo State as a leading hub for industrial-scale farming in Nigeria.

Describing the event as more than a symbolic exercise, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the ceremony represented the planting of trust, innovation and prosperity for the people of the state.

He explained that the initiative forms part of a deliberate strategy by his administration to attract private sector investment and modernise agriculture across Ondo State.

“This initiative is designed to transform agriculture from a subsistence activity into a viable, export-oriented, wealth-creating sector,” the governor said. “It will create jobs, empower youths and strengthen Ondo State’s economy.”

Governor Aiyedatiwa commended Noreta Farms Limited for choosing Ondo State as the base for its high-tech, closed-environment agribusiness project, describing it as a model of modern, precision agriculture that aligns with the state’s economic development agenda.

“In choosing Ondo State for this project, you have reaffirmed our Sunshine State as a fertile, peaceful and secure environment with a stable economic climate,” he said. “Projects like Noreta Farms demonstrate how technology-driven agriculture can generate employment, develop skills and deliver sustainable economic value.”

The governor noted that the state government has continued to create an enabling environment for investors through its OUR EASE policy thrust, which focuses on policy clarity, infrastructure development, ease of doing business and the security of lives and property.

He added that Ondo State has strengthened its security architecture through intelligence-led operations and collaboration between security agencies and local communities, stressing that investment thrives where safety and confidence are guaranteed.

On value addition in agriculture, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the administration is repositioning the sector as an innovation-driven industry rather than traditional farming.

“When policy, technology and private capital converge, development becomes inevitable,” he said.

The governor highlighted agriculture as one of Ondo State’s strongest comparative advantages, citing successes under the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) programme, which has positioned the state as a major supplier of tomatoes to Lagos State.

He explained that the CSA programme aims to sustainably increase productivity, build resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He added that investors such as JB, Saudit Farms, Tropic, SAO Farms, Bambi Palms, ACME Farms and Bola Oil are already engaged in oil palm production on the declassified lands, contributing significantly to job creation and unemployment reduction.

Describing the Noreta Farms project as a practical demonstration of government policy, the governor said the commercial-scale precision greenhouse farm will provide jobs, transfer skills to youths and open new markets, with positive ripple effects for host communities.

He noted that the project aligns with the administration’s commitment to economic diversification, food security, youth empowerment and export-oriented agriculture, while urging more investors to take advantage of opportunities in the state.

In his welcome address, a member of the Board of Directors of Noreta Farms, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said the decision to locate the project in Ondo State followed a careful assessment of government support, security and the business environment across the Southwest.

“Noreta Farms is leading innovation in farming in Nigeria, and it is our desire to contribute meaningfully to food security and national development,” Olajengbesi said.

He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for facilitating the project, describing the state government’s support as instrumental to its success. According to him, the initial phase of the project will cover 15,000 hectares under Precision Green Farming, also known as closed-environment farming in the United Kingdom.

Olajengbesi disclosed that the long-term vision of Noreta Farms is to establish the largest market farm in West Africa, leveraging strategic support from the Ondo State Government.

Also speaking, a consultant on the project, Samuel Bagnor, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in the company and for selecting it as the technological partner for the initiative.

Dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Adesoji Afolabi; Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon. Sunday Olajide; Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Barr. Allen Sowore; Chairman of SUBEB, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan; Director-General of OSRC Media Group, Mr Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson; the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal; and the State Commandant of NSCDC, Commandant Oluyemi Ibiloye, among other senior government officials.