Aiyedatiwa flags off 15-hectare cocoa, oil palm farm

Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday inaugurated a technology-driven agribusiness initiative in the Idanre Local Government Area.

The project, Noreta Farms, covers 15 hectares of land designated for the cultivation of cocoa, oil palm, and cashew.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the land declassification was aimed at boosting agricultural investment, creating jobs, and positioning Ondo as a hub for industrial-scale farming.

He described the project as symbolising “planting trust, sowing innovation, and laying the foundation for the prosperity of Ondo State’s people.”

The governor noted that the initiative was part of a deliberate strategy to attract private-sector investment and modernise agriculture across the state.

He said:

This project is designed to transform agriculture from a subsistence activity into a viable, export-oriented, wealth-creating sector. It will create jobs, empower youths, and strengthen Ondo State’s economy.

“By choosing Ondo State, you reaffirm the status of our Sunshine State as a fertile, peaceful, and secure environment with a 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.”

Governor Aiyedatiwa also highlighted the state’s enhanced security measures, noting that “investment flows where safety is assured, and confidence is guaranteed. These efforts are deliberate, sustained, and yielding results.”

Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, a member of Noreta Farms’ Board of Directors, said the decision to locate the project in Ondo followed a careful evaluation of government support, security, and an enabling environment for private-sector participation.

He added:“Noreta Farms is leading innovation in farming in Nigeria. We hope this project will contribute to national food security and development. It will create jobs, stimulate local growth, and bring sustainable development to Ondo State.”

Culled from punch