Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the establishment of the Ondo Agricultural City in Iju-Agbonrin/Ori-Ohin, in Ose Local Government Area of the state, by KONIG Agriculture Ltd.
The $42 million project falls under the supervision of the Federal Government’s Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-intensive Agriculture initiative.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Leye Akinola, disclosed this in a statement made available to our correspondent on Sunday, 24 hours after signing a land-lease contract as guarantor between community landowners and KONIG Agriculture Ltd.
The commissioner, who called on more investors to invest in the agricultural city, said the government was ready to provide the necessary support and enabling environment to ensure their investments were protected.
He said, “The initiative is expected to boost agricultural development and economic growth in the state. Governor Aiyedatiwa will continue to welcome and partner with any reliable investor in the agricultural sector.
“With this development, unemployment and insecurity in the area would be dramatically reduced because the company would employ people from the host communities.”
Commending the governor for approving the commencement of the project, Akinola said the present administration was prioritising the agricultural sector to achieve sufficient food production and security.
He explained that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry would stand as guarantor to families and owners of the land, as requested by the company.
“The Northern Senatorial District of the state will witness an unprecedented agricultural revolution through aggressive development,” he said, noting that the “moribund Akunnu cattle ranch built by the old Western Region would be revived and put to use, as investors have arrived and everything is set to resuscitate the ranch.”
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Foluke Tunde-Daramola, who also signed as a witness on behalf of the state, appealed to host community leaders to encourage their youths and women to be ready to work, assuring them that the project would provide employment opportunities.
Speaking, the project lead of KONIG Agriculture Ltd, Mr Oluwasegun Saliu, lauded the state government for attracting the project and for its commitment to ensuring its realisation.
He said, “Over 60 per cent of the workforce will be sourced from the community, and the company will add value through corporate social responsibilities such as boreholes, solar power and a health facility on the farm, with services extended to the public.”
Mrs Justina Arogundade, representing the FRILIA initiative, said the framework promotes sustainable and responsible large-scale agricultural investment.
“The framework seeks a ‘win-win’ outcome through community consultation, environmental and social sustainability, and fair compensation, ensuring that investments benefit both private investors and local communities,” she added.