- Gov pledges support for agribusiness expansion across the State
- Govt to convert parts of forests into prodctive farmlands
The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday visited JB Farms Limited, Ore, the largest agricultural plantation in the State, where he lauded the company’s huge investment in agriculture and pledged his administration’s continued support for agribusiness expansion in the State.
Speaking after a tour of the palm plantation and its processing mill, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed admiration for the transformation of what was once a dense forest into a highly productive agricultural enterprise.
The Governor acknowledged the scale of JB Farms’ operations, its extensive infrastructure, and its positive impact on employment and economic growth in the State.
“As you can see, this is a very large plantation, the biggest I have ever seen. This used to be a thick forest, but it has now been turned into a productive venture. What I see here is impressive, not just in terms of the plantation but also the extensive infrastructure development.
“This investment has gone beyond just planting palm trees; the company has built roads and is now constructing a modern processing mill. According to the CEO, this mill will be completed next year and will be ready for commissioning. This is a huge investment that deserves commendation,” the Governor remarked.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who earlier addressed some of the farm workers, emphasized the positive economic impact of JB Farms Limited, noting that the company employs about 5,000 workers, many of who are from different local government areas of the State.
Governor Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing security, infrastructure, and an enabling environment for agribusinesses to thrive and called on other investors to take advantage of the opportunities in Ondo State.
The Chief Executive Officer of JB Farms Limited, Mr. Ajibola Adebutu, who provided insights into the farm’s progress, said it started in August 2021 and has since cleared about 7,500 hectares of land, with 5,000 hectares already planted.
He further explained the significance of the oil palm processing mill, which he described as the heart and soul of the plantation.
He said: “This mill is essential because it takes the palm fruit and converts it into palm oil. At peak capacity, this mill will be able to process 800 tonnes of palm fruits daily, yielding approximately 160 tonnes of palm oil which is about five full tankers of palm oil every day.
“This place used to be a den of kidnappers and armed robbers five to six years ago. When I first arrived, I could not walk around without being surrounded by policemen and soldiers. But today, I can stand here freely because the situation has changed. People who wanted to engage in crime have either left or have found employment here, which means they now have legitimate means of livelihood.”
Adebutu praised Governor Aiyedatiwa for his support for both large-scale investors and smallholder farmers, describing it as a balanced approach to agricultural development.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also visited SAO Agro Farms, Ajue, another major player in oil palm cultivation in the State.
While addressing concerns from local farmers, the Governor assured them that there is ample land available to support both smallholder and large-scale farming operations.
The Governor also disclosed that the state government will consider the conversion of parts of the forests in the state into productive farmlands.
Governor Aiyedatiwa personally planted a palm tree at SAO Agro Farms, signifying his support for the company’s long-term growth.