The Ondo State Agricultural Empowerment Centre (OSAEC) has requested 10,000 hectares of land for the Commonwealth Women’s Network to support agricultural development.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Mr. Wemimo Akinsola, made the request during an official visit to the palaces of the Larogbo of Akotogbo, Oba Michael Akinfolarin, and the Laragunsin of Iyansan, Oba Akinyomi Olasehinde, in Irele Local Government Area.

Akinsola, who also serves as the Chairman of the agency, stated that approximately 10,000 hectares of land would be needed by the state government, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Women’s Network, at Akotogbo and Iyansan in the Southern Senatorial District for agricultural development.

According to him, the initiative aims to drive agricultural growth, enhance productivity, and provide farmers with the necessary support to succeed.

Akinsola explained that the programme would be implemented in stages, covering all aspects of the agricultural value chain, including cultivation, processing, packaging, animal husbandry, and other related activities.

He emphasized that the collaboration with the Commonwealth Women’s Network and other stakeholders would play a vital role in transforming Ondo State into a food-secure region, supporting both local consumption and exports.

The Aiyedatiwa-led administration, he noted, seeks to establish the area as an agricultural hub, boosting food production while creating job opportunities for the state’s youth.

Akinsola therefore called for the cooperation of traditional rulers, youth, and other stakeholders to ensure the programme’s success.

In his remarks, the Commonwealth Women’s Network representative, Mr. Niba Ngwa, stated that a soil test had been conducted for agricultural activities, yielding encouraging results.

Expressing optimism about the project’s impact, Mr. Ngwa urged the local population to offer their full cooperation for its successful implementation.