Ondo farmers to invest N10bn to combat food shortages by 2025

By Fatima Muraina
In a strategic move to address the looming food crisis in Nigeria, farmers in Ondo State are set to invest N10 billion in an innovative home project, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security by 2025.
The President of the Ondo State Farmers Congress and Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Farmer Abayomi Monilari, made this announcement in an exclusive interview with The Hope in Akure, the state capital.
Monilari revealed that a partnership agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) had been signed with developers, with the project set to commence shortly.
Monilari noted that the project would address long-standing infrastructure gaps, including the completion of a farmers’ building, the foundation of which was laid over 32 years ago.
“All vacant lands in the area will be allocated to developers for the creation of key facilities, including residential zones, a farmers’ home, office spaces, and a mall.
“We are going to have residential areas, a farmers’ home, and a mall.
“We will also have offices. This will generate revenue for the Congress.
“Inside the farmers’ home, we will have advanced learning facilities where farmers and young people can be trained in agriculture,” Monilari explained.
The proposed initiative will also introduce vertical farming, a modern agricultural technique aimed at increasing crop yields within limited spaces, a concept previously unseen in the region.
“We are targeting an investment of N10 billion from the projects mentioned.
“The more resources we can generate for the Congress, the greater our impact on the agricultural sector,” he stated.
The investment also includes the establishment of small and cottage industries within the Congress, designed to facilitate the processing and production of agricultural goods, contributing to food security within Ondo State and beyond.
Monilari highlighted the state’s agricultural achievements, including Ondo’s position as the leading producer of tomatoes in the southwest.
He also mentioned that the high cost of beans had been alleviated due to increased production, driven by a growing number of farmers entering the sector.
Noting the Congress’ role in fostering unity, Monilari explained that the organisation has prioritised the education and welfare of its members, ensuring that peace and cooperation reign within the farming community.
Further reinforcing the state’s commitment to agricultural development, Monilari revealed that over 100 children of farmers have gone abroad to acquire advanced agricultural knowledge, a move aimed at bolstering local production and securing food sufficiency for future generations.