The Director-General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, OYSADA, Dr. Debo Akande, says the upgrading of the moribund 3,250 hectares of Eruwa Farm Settlement to an Agribusiness Industrial Hub will automatically put the zone on the international agricultural map.
Dr. Akande made the statement during the commissioning of the redevelopment of the farm settlement in Eruwa, Ibarapa East local government on Thursday.
According to the OYSADA DG, after completion, the farm settlement will have a state-of-the-art agribusiness training center, a mechanization and equipment leasing center.
Dr. Akande, citing investment records and the success of the Fashola farm settlement after upgrading to an agribusiness hub, said Eruwa farm redevelopment is a bigger investment project with greater prospects.
“Just last month, one company, AATF, within Fashola ( farm ) on cassava processing, trained over 1200 farmers on GAP and supported them to be the primary suppliers of cassava for their processing company.
“Another company, BIPGOSEED, has planted close to 100 hectares of early-generation seed that will improve yield in crops – it’s not surprising that while this company is supporting local cassava farmers, it has also sold to Serra Leon and the Liberian governments as well as some states across Nigeria.
“An individual investor, Milkin Barn Ltd, has planted over 350 hectares of maize within two cropping seasons; another Company, Brownhill, has established a state-of-the-art greenhouse and processing center for tomato all-year production and processing, among many others.
“All of these generate new employment and contribute to food production and revenue for Oyo State
“We are here today to witness even bigger investments in similar projects. We expect a 60-million-dollar public-private development investment to change the agricultural landscape of Eruwa, Ibarapa, and Oyo state. This facility will include a crop and livestock production center, 15-20 processing centers, a state-of-the-art agribusiness training center, a mechanization and equipment leasing center, an early-generation seed production center, and, icing on the cake, an eco-resort center that will put Eruwa on the world map.” Debo Akande said.
Dr Akande while appreciating the executive governor of Oyo state, His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde for his visionary leadership especially on agriculture, the citizens of Oyo state, the good people of Ibarapa, and particularly Eruwa, the private investors, and the African Development Bank (AfDB) for believing in the redevelopment of Eruwa farm settlement, hinted that there is another plan for construction of a Central agribusiness industrial hub at Ijaiye in Ibadan, that will house the largest modern agricultural market in the southern part of Nigeria.
