By Abbas Nazil
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) to promote mechanised agriculture and enhance food security across the state.
The spoke on Monday during a courtesy visit to him by the NALDA delegation led by the Ondo State Coordinator, Olusola Ayandokun, to his office in Akure, the state capital.
Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized that land clearing remains a critical barrier preventing many farmers—particularly young and aspiring ones—from venturing into or expanding mechanised farming operations.
He noted that this challenge aligns directly with NALDA’s core mandate and presents an opportunity for productive synergy between the federal agency and Ondo State.
“One of the major expenditures that hinder farmers from going into mechanized farming or expanding their operations is land clearing,” Aiyedatiwa stated. “I’ve heard that land clearing is one of NALDA’s key activities, and that is encouraging.”
The governor highlighted the potential of young people in agriculture, suggesting that addressing the land clearing bottleneck would encourage more youth to embrace farming as a viable livelihood.
He also commended NALDA’s integrated farm estate model implemented in other states and noted that Ondo already possesses farm settlements that could be revived and upgraded through strategic partnerships.
Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed optimism that the collaboration could extend beyond crop production to animal husbandry, particularly in areas where Ondo has comparative advantages such as goat and rabbit farming.
He added that the initiative aligns with the state’s efforts to modernise agriculture and create employment opportunities for youth.
Responding, NALDA’s Ondo State Coordinator, Olusola Ayandokun, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the state’s agricultural development goals.
He explained that NALDA, a federal initiative, is focused on land reclamation, food production, youth and women empowerment, and strengthening the entire agricultural value chain.
Ayandokun acknowledged the agency’s revival under the current federal administration after a period of policy disruptions that affected its operations.
He said NALDA is committed to activities such as land clearing, preparation, and allocation to farmers, as well as establishing integrated farm estates, supplying agricultural inputs, and promoting animal husbandry and training programs.
The coordinator pointed out Ondo’s suitability for strategic agricultural investments, especially in cocoa, oil palm, and small livestock farming.
He mentioned the Ile-Oluji farm settlement as one of the areas earmarked for pilot projects, where land has already been allocated and training modules are ready for rollout.
Ayandokun also stressed the importance of grassroots involvement in agriculture, encouraging every household to engage in some form of backyard farming—whether crops or livestock—to help build food resilience and self-sufficiency across communities in the state.
