…kicks-off Noreta Farms to boost jobs, industrial agriculture
‘Project aims to become West Africa’s largest market farm’
By Fisayo Akinduro
In a bold stride towards transforming agriculture and driving industrial-scale farming, Ondo State has declassified 100,000 hectares of land for the cultivation of oil palm, cashew and cocoa.
The State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa made the disclosure during the groundbreaking ceremony of Noreta Farms, a technology-driven agribusiness initiative at Owena-Idanre, off the Akure–Ondo Road.
The declassification is designed to deepen agricultural investment, expand employment opportunities and position the state as a hub for industrial-scale farming.
Describing the event as more than a ceremonial turning of the soil, Aiyedatiwa said it symbolised planting trust, sowing innovation and laying the foundation for the prosperity of Ondo State people.
He stated that the land declassification forms part of a deliberate strategy to attract private-sector investment and modernise agriculture across the state.
“This initiative is designed to transform agriculture from a subsistence activity into a viable, export-oriented and wealth-creating sector.
“It will create jobs, empower youths, and strengthen Ondo State’s economy,” he assured.
The governor commended Noreta Farms Limited for selecting Ondo State as the location for its high-tech, closed-environment agribusiness project, describing it as a model of modern, precision agriculture aligned with the administration’s economic policies.
“In choosing Ondo State for this project, you have reaffirmed the status of our Sunshine State as a fertile, peaceful and secure environment with a sound and stable economic climate.
“Projects like Noreta Farms demonstrate how technology-driven agriculture can generate employment, develop skills and deliver sustainable economic value for our people,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa highlighted that the state government has created an enabling environment for investors through its OUR EASE policy thrust, providing policy clarity, infrastructure support, ease of doing business and security of lives and property.
He stressed that Ondo State has strengthened its security architecture, enhanced intelligence-led operations and fostered collaboration between security agencies and local communities to ensure a safe and stable investment climate.
“These efforts are deliberate, sustained and yielding results, because investment flows where safety is assured and confidence is guaranteed,” he said.
On the administration’s focus on value addition in agriculture, the governor said, “We are promoting agriculture as innovation, enterprise, and industry. When policy, technology, and private capital converge, development becomes inevitable.”
He pointed to agriculture as one of Ondo State’s greatest comparative advantages, emphasising that the government’s vision goes beyond traditional farming. He also highlighted successes under the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) programme, noting that Ondo has become a major supplier of tomatoes to Lagos State.
Explaining that CSA aims to sustainably increase agricultural productivity, enhance resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the governor said investors such as JB, Saudit Farms, Tropic, SAO Farms, Bambi Palms, ACME Farms and Bola Oil are already engaged in oil palm production on the declassified lands, contributing significantly to job creation and the reduction of unemployment.
He described the Noreta Farms project as a practical demonstration of the state’s policy direction. By establishing a commercial-scale, precision greenhouse farm, the project is expected to provide jobs, transfer skills to youths and open new markets, creating ripple effects beyond the immediate community.
The governor emphasised that the project aligns seamlessly with the administration’s commitment to economic diversification, food security, youth empowerment and export-oriented agriculture.
He urged more investors to capitalise on the opportunities created by the state government, saying, “Let this project serve as a beacon, calling forth more investors, innovators, and partners who align with our vision of a peaceful, productive, prosperous, and forward-looking Ondo State.”
Aiyedatiwa formally performed the groundbreaking ceremony of Noreta Farms, praying that the soil would yield abundance and that the investment would flourish.
He reassured the management of Noreta Farms and prospective investors that the state government would continue to provide policy stability, institutional cooperation and strategic support to ensure the success and sustainability of agricultural investments.
In his welcome address, a member of the company’s Board of Directors, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said the decision to locate the project in Ondo State followed careful evaluation of government support, security and the enabling environment for private sector participation across the Southwest.
“Noreta Farms is leading innovation in farming today in Nigeria and it is our desire to see that this company contributes towards food security and development in the country,” Olajengbesi said.
He emphasised that the project is designed to thrive in Ondo State due to the supportive business environment created by the state government, commending the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa for facilitating the project and describing their support as instrumental to its success.
“This project will bring development for our people. It will create employment opportunities and stimulate growth in the state,” he said, adding that the initial phase would cover 15,000 hectares under Precision Green Farming, also known in the United Kingdom as closed-environment farming.
Olajengbesi further revealed that the long-term vision for Noreta Farms is to establish the largest market farm in West Africa, leveraging the strategic support of the state government.