The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has pledged support for agribusiness expansion, lauding the private sector investments in agriculture in the State.
Governor Aiyedatiwa disclosed this through his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan after he visited JB Farms Limited, Ore, the largest agricultural plantation in the State.
Conversing after a tour of the palm plantation and its processing mill, Aiyedatiwa expressed admiration for the transformation of what was once a dense forest into a highly productive agricultural enterprise.
He reaffirmed that his administration will commit to providing security, infrastructure, and an enabling environment for agribusinesses to thrive, calling on other investors to take advantage of the opportunities in the State.
He acknowledged the scale of JB Farms’ operations, its extensive infrastructure, and its positive impact on employment and economic growth in the State.
“As you can see, this is a very large plantation, the biggest I have ever seen. This used to be a thick forest, but it has now been turned into a productive venture. What I see here is impressive, not just in terms of the plantation but also the extensive infrastructure development.
“This investment has gone beyond just planting palm trees; the company has built roads and is now constructing a modern processing mill. According to the CEO, this mill will be completed next year and will be ready for commissioning. This is a huge investment that deserves commendation,” he remarked.
Having addressed some of the farm workers, Aiyedatiwa emphasised the positive economic impact of JB Farms Limited, noting that the company employs about 5,000 workers, many of who are from different local government areas of the State.
The Governor also visited SAO Agro Farms, Ajue, another major player in oil palm cultivation in the State, where he addressed the concerns of local farmers.
He assured the farmers of ample land available to support both smallholder and large-scale farming operations.
Aiyedatiwa also disclosed that the state government will consider the conversion of parts of the forests in the state into productive farmlands.
