OWENA-IDANRE – In a move set to redefine the agricultural landscape of West Africa, the Ondo State Government has officially performed the groundbreaking for Noreta Farms, a high-tech, closed-environment agribusiness initiative aimed at transitioning the state from subsistence farming to industrial-scale production.
Speaking at the ceremony in Owena-Idanre, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa announced the declassification of 15 hectares of land specifically for the cultivation of high-value crops, including oil palm, cashew, and cocoa. The Governor emphasized that this is not merely a symbolic gesture but a strategic investment in the state’s economic future.
Driving Innovation and Economic Growth
Governor Aiyedatiwa described the partnership with Noreta Farms as a cornerstone of his administration’s “OUR EASE” policy, which focuses on infrastructure support, policy clarity, and the ease of doing business.
“This initiative is designed to transform agriculture into a viable, export-oriented, wealth-creating sector,” the Governor stated. “When policy, technology, and private capital converge, development becomes inevitable.”
The Governor further highlighted the state’s success in Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), noting that Ondo has already become a primary supplier of tomatoes to Lagos State. By integrating precision greenhouse technology, Noreta Farms is expected to bolster food security while providing thousands of jobs and technical skill-transfer opportunities for the youth.
A Vision for Regional Leadership
Noreta Farms aims to become the largest market farm in West Africa. Pelumi Olajengbesi, a member of the company’s Board of Directors, revealed that the project would initially utilize Precision Green Farming (closed-environment farming) techniques common in the United Kingdom to maximize yield and minimize environmental impact.
“Noreta Farms is leading innovation in Nigerian agriculture today,” Olajengbesi said. He attributed the choice of Ondo State to its “fertile, peaceful, and secure environment,” praising the administration’s efforts to strengthen local security and intelligence-led operations.
Strengthening the Value Chain
The declassification of land has already attracted several major players to the state, including JB, Saudit Farms, and SAO Farms. This influx of private investment is positioned to turn Ondo into a hub for agricultural processing and export, reducing unemployment and strengthening the state’s internal revenue.
As the ceremony concluded, Governor Aiyedatiwa urged more investors to capitalize on the “Sunshine State’s” burgeoning reputation as a safe and profitable haven for large-scale agricultural enterprise.
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