Ondo State has declassified 15 hectares of land for the cultivation of oil palm, cashew and cocoa as part of efforts to create jobs and empower youths across the state.
The State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, made this known during the groundbreaking ceremony of Noreta Farms, a technology-driven agribusiness initiative located at Owena-Idanre, off the Akure–Ondo Road.
According to the governor, the declassification of the land is aimed at deepening agricultural investment, expanding employment opportunities and positioning Ondo State as a hub for industrial-scale farming.
Describing the event as more than a ceremonial activity, Governor Aiyedatiwa said it symbolised planting trust, sowing innovation and laying the foundation for the prosperity of the people of Ondo State.
He explained that the land declassification is part of a deliberate strategy by his administration to attract private sector investment and modernise agriculture across the state.
“This initiative is designed to transform agriculture from a subsistence activity into a viable, export-oriented, wealth-creating sector,” he said. “It will create jobs, empower youths, and strengthen Ondo State’s economy.”
The governor commended Noreta Farms Limited for choosing Ondo State as the location for its high-tech, closed-environment agribusiness project, describing the initiative as a model of modern, precision agriculture that aligns with the state’s economic policies.
“In choosing Ondo State for this project, you have reaffirmed the status of our Sunshine State as a fertile, peaceful and secure environment with a sound and stable economic climate,” he said.
“Projects like Noreta Farms demonstrate how technology-driven agriculture can generate employment, develop skills, and deliver sustainable economic value for our people,” Governor Aiyedatiwa added.
He further stated that the state government has created an enabling environment for investors through its OUR EASE policy thrust, which provides policy clarity, infrastructure support, ease of doing business, and security of lives and property.
The governor stressed that Ondo State has strengthened its security architecture, enhanced intelligence-led operations and encouraged collaboration between security agencies and local communities to ensure a safe and stable investment climate.
“These efforts are deliberate, sustained, and yielding results, because investment flows where safety is assured and confidence is guaranteed,” he said.
Speaking on the administration’s focus on value addition in agriculture, Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that the state is promoting agriculture as innovation, enterprise and industry.
“We are promoting agriculture as innovation, enterprise, and industry. When policy, technology, and private capital converge, development becomes inevitable,” he stated.
He identified agriculture as one of Ondo State’s greatest comparative advantages, noting that the government’s vision goes beyond traditional farming methods.
The governor also highlighted achievements recorded under the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) programme, stating that Ondo State has become a major supplier of tomatoes to Lagos State.
He explained that CSA is designed to sustainably increase agricultural productivity, enhance resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
According to him, 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 the reduction of unemployment in the state.
Governor Aiyedatiwa described the Noreta Farms project as a practical demonstration of the state’s policy direction.
By establishing a commercial-scale, precision greenhouse farm, he said the project is expected to provide jobs, transfer skills to youths and open new markets, with economic benefits extending beyond the immediate host community.
He added that the project aligns with his administration’s commitment to economic diversification, food security, youth empowerment and export-oriented agriculture.
The governor urged more investors to take advantage of the opportunities created by the state government.
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 enabling environment for private sector participation across the southwest.
“Noreta Farms is leading innovation in farming today in Nigeria and it is our desire to see that this company contributes towards food security and development in the country,” Olajengbesi said.
He stated that the project is designed to thrive in Ondo State due to the supportive business environment provided by the state government.
Olajengbesi commended the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa for facilitating the project, describing the administration’s support as instrumental to its success.
“This project will bring development for our people. It will create employment opportunities and stimulate growth in the state,” he said.
He added that the initial phase of the project would cover 15,000 hectares under Precision Green Farming, also known in the United Kingdom as closed-environment farming.
Olajengbesi further disclosed that the long-term vision of Noreta Farms is to establish the largest market farm in West Africa, leveraging the strategic support of the Ondo State Government.
Also speaking at the event, a consultant, Samuel Bagnor, expressed appreciation to the governor for trusting the company and selecting it as the technological partner for the project.
He thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in the firm and assured stakeholders of the project’s success.
Among dignitaries present at the ceremony were 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 to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Barr. Allen Sowore; Chairman, SUBEB, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan; Director-General, OSRC Media Group, Mr Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson; Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal; and the State Commandant of NSCDC, Commandant Oluyemi Ibiloye, among other senior government functionaries.
