By Abbas Nazil
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has identified land clearing as a key factor discouraging Nigerian youths from embracing mechanized farming, calling for urgent attention to the challenge to unlock the agricultural potential of the country.
He made the remark on Monday while receiving a delegation from the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) at the Governor’s Office in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
During the visit, which was led by the NALDA State Coordinator, Olusola Ayandokun, Governor Aiyedatiwa stressed that the bottlenecks associated with clearing agricultural land are one of the biggest barriers for young farmers and those seeking to expand mechanized operations.
He said many youths are interested in farming but are deterred by the high cost and labor-intensive nature of preparing land for cultivation.
According to the governor, addressing this issue is essential not only for attracting young people into agriculture but also for boosting food production and achieving food security.
He acknowledged NALDA’s ongoing efforts in land clearing and development across Nigeria and described it as an encouraging move that can help remove one of the costliest hurdles for new entrants into farming.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also pledged his administration’s readiness to partner with the federal government agency to revive and develop farm settlements across Ondo State.
He pointed to the success of integrated farm estates in other states and noted that Ondo has similar dormant infrastructure that could be revitalized through strategic collaborations.
These estates, he said, would enhance agricultural productivity and provide employment opportunities, particularly in livestock rearing where Ondo State holds natural advantages.
He expressed optimism that the partnership with NALDA would promote animal husbandry and help in diversifying agricultural activities in the state beyond crop production.
The governor highlighted the importance of using agriculture to empower youths and create sustainable livelihoods.
In response, NALDA’s state coordinator, Ayandokun, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to reclaiming and opening up more land for agricultural use, with a focus on youth and women empowerment, food security, and value chain development.
He disclosed that pilot sites had already been identified in Ondo for projects involving cocoa, oil palm, goat and rabbit farming, and integrated settlements.
Ayandokun added that training modules are being prepared to equip farmers with the necessary skills, and emphasized the importance of encouraging every household to engage in backyard farming as a grassroots food security measure.
He reiterated NALDA’s broad objectives, including land clearing, allocation, provision of inputs, support for animal husbandry, and farmer training, aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
