Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has revealed plans to revive nine farm settlements established by late Yoruba icon, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the state.
Taiwo Adisa, the chief press sectary to the governor, stated this in an interview with PUNCH Newspaper.
Adisa said Governor Makinde will resuscitate the farm settlements to increase the food production capacity of the state and to boost its economy.
He said the farm settlements are not owned bh Oodua Investment as being speculated.
“Oodua Investments is not the owner of the ranches. Western Region owned the farm settlements. They are not ranches but they are farm settlements owned by states where they are located.
“We have nine of them in Oyo State and they are going to be revived. We were in Eruwa three weeks ago and an assurance was given that the over 5,000 hectares located in Ibarapa would be revived with provision of immediate access roads and necessary empowerments.
“The same thing will happen at all the other eight farm settlements which were established by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“The farm settlements are complete packages. Chief Awolowo imported cows from Israel and was going to grow the animal husbandry business there before they fizzled out.
“The ones in the Western Region are not mere ranches. They are complete farm settlements with different segments such as animal husbandry, fisheries, poultry and even piggery,” The Punch Newspaper quoted him as saying.
