The Federal Government has launched a 5,000-hectare “Renewed Hope” Mega Farm Estate in Ora, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, in a move expected to empower 5,000 farmers and generate up to 10,000 jobs across the agricultural value chain.
The initiative, driven by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), marks a major step in the government’s strategy to boost food production, reduce imports, and stimulate rural economic growth.
The Ora farm estate, which serves as the pioneer take-off site for the national programme, was inaugurated on Saturday with a stakeholders’ engagement and sensitisation session aimed at preparing local farmers for the first phase of cultivation.
Addressing community leaders and farmers during a town hall meeting, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NALDA, Engr. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, said the project reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition the agricultural sector.
He described the initiative as a direct intervention under the Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to transform rural communities into productive economic hubs.
According to him, “The Ora cluster alone is designed to engage 5,000 farmers, with each farmer cultivating five hectares. This is a structured and scalable model that ensures productivity and sustainability.”
Adebayo added, “This initiative has the capacity to generate direct and indirect employment for up to 10,000 people across the value chain, including mechanisation, logistics, processing, and trading.”
To ensure a swift take-off, he disclosed that NALDA had deployed an initial fleet of 10 tractors to the site, with a focus on large-scale soybean production for both domestic consumption and export.
He noted that the choice of soybean was strategic, given its industrial relevance and growing demand in both local and international markets.
On security, the NALDA boss said the agency had put in place a comprehensive framework to safeguard farmers and assets within the estate.
“The security architecture includes Agro-Rangers, local hunters, and collaboration with state security agencies. In addition, we are deploying advanced drone technology for real-time monitoring of the entire 5,000 hectares,” he said.
Earlier, the NALDA delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Olora of Ora, HRM Oba Rilwan Olawale Aremu Yekini Sakonbari I, who commended the Federal Government for siting the project in the community.
The monarch, who presented symbolic gifts including a live goat, described the initiative as a transformative development for the town.
“This is a long-awaited intervention that will change the face of our community forever. It shows that the government is serious about improving the lives of the people,” he said.
He also urged residents to support the project and remain patient with ongoing reforms by the current administration.
The Executive Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Hon. Jamiu Femi Yusuf, lauded NALDA for selecting Ora as the pilot location, noting that the project holds significant economic and social benefits.
“I have been involved since the initial inspection stage, and I can confidently say this is a people-oriented project. It requires the support of the entire community to succeed,” he said.
Yusuf added that the initiative could help address security challenges in the area by providing employment opportunities for youths and reducing rural-urban migration.
He further called on residents to cooperate with engineers, project partners, and officials to ensure smooth implementation.
Also speaking, the Group Managing Director of Arzikin Noma Africa, the principal partner on the project, Mr. Michael Adeshola Adeoluwa, said the company would provide input financing and mechanisation services under a structured cost-recovery model.
He explained that the model was designed to ensure commercial viability while supporting farmers with the necessary inputs and guaranteed off-take of produce.
“Our responsibility is to support farmers with inputs, provide mechanisation services, and ensure that their produce is aggregated and purchased. This way, farmers are protected from post-harvest losses,” Adeoluwa said.
An on-site inspection conducted by government officials and stakeholders showed that preliminary work had already commenced, with engineers and field workers actively engaged on the land.
The development has generated excitement among residents of Ora and neighbouring communities, many of whom expressed optimism about the mechanisation component of the project.
A farmer in the community said, “For years, we have depended on hoes and cutlasses, and many of our youths left farming because it was difficult. With tractors and proper support, things will change.”
Another resident added, “Knowing that there is a private partner that will provide inputs and buy back our produce gives us confidence. We will not have to worry about our crops going to waste.”
The Ora mega farm estate is expected to serve as a model for similar projects in other states, including Ekiti, Bauchi, and Plateau, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to tackle food inflation, create jobs, and strengthen national food security.
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