By Adeola Badru

Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has commenced the transformation of the Eruwa Farm Settlement into a cutting-edge Agribusiness Industrial Hub.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Thursday at the Old Farm Settlement, aims to position Ibarapaland as a significant player in global agriculture while creating thousands of job opportunities for local youths.

During the ceremony, Governor Makinde emphasised the project’s potential to enhance the region’s economic landscape, stating that once completed, the hub would elevate Ibarapaland on the global agricultural map.

The governor urged residents to foster a welcoming environment for incoming investors, stressing that community support is crucial for the project’s success.

To further bolster infrastructure development, he announced plans to complete the Ido-Eruwa Road within the next year, indicating that the state government has approved a N2 billion allocation to expedite the construction.

Makinde further highlighted the establishment of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) as a key initiative to promote agribusiness across the state.

He expressed confidence that the Eruwa hub would mirror the success of the Fasola Agribusiness Hub, which has served as a prototype for agribusiness development in Nigeria.

“About five years ago, we embarked on a journey to make agribusiness the driver of Oyo State’s economy. Our pilot project at Fasola has proven that we can transform moribund farm settlements into thriving agribusiness hubs,” he stated.

In his remark at the event, Director-General of OYSADA, Dr. Debo Akande, outlined the ambitious scope of the Eruwa Agribusiness Hub, which is expected to attract $40 million in public-private investment.

The facility, he said, will include a range of critical components such as crop and livestock production centers, 15 to 20 processing facilities, a state-of-the-art agribusiness training center, a mechanisation and equipment leasing centre, and an early-generation seed production centre.

Notably, an eco-resort center is also planned, aimed at putting Eruwa on the world tourism map.

Akande praised Governor Makinde for his visionary leadership, noting that the Fasola Agribusiness Hub has successfully integrated 12 medium to large national and international companies, enhancing agricultural productivity and supporting smallholder farmers through training and crop processing initiatives.

While speaking, the Director-General of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Abdul Kamara, lauded the governor’s efforts to revitalize moribund farm settlements.

He described the project as consistent with AfDB’s goals of rural and economic transformation, emphasising the importance of food security and agricultural industrialisation.

Community leaders also expressed their appreciation for the governor’s initiatives, encouraging the timely completion of infrastructure projects and suggesting enhancing microfinance support for local farmers to further stimulate agricultural growth.

In his closing remarks, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, reflected on the long-term impact of the Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub, viewing it as a legacy project for Governor Makinde after his tenure.

He urged local residents to cooperate with contractors and support the project’s development.

“Governor Makinde’s efforts signify a transformative step for Oyo State’s agricultural sector, fostering economic growth and sustainability for the region,” he said.