Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has inaugurated six agricultural projects aimed at boosting food security and creating employment opportunities for youths and women. The projects, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), are located in Mahintedo and Igedegede communities.
Speaking at the inauguration, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his deputy Olayide Adelami, said the projects will have a significant impact on the state’s economy and food security. “This is a project that will impact on the lives of the rural communities. This project is a cassava processing plant and is situated in an agrarian community that mainly grows cassava,” he said.
The projects include a garri processing mill, solar-powered borehole, aggregation centre, waste-to-wealth building, open market store, and open/lock-up shops. Aiyedatiwa noted that the cassava processing plant will encourage farmers to grow more cassava, reducing the challenge of transporting raw and processed produce to markets.
“When I went through the processing plant, one remarkable thing I noticed is that all the processing machines were locally produced in Nigeria, which means it will be easy to ensure that it goes through all the rural communities,” he added.
IFAD has identified 10 local governments in Ondo State for similar projects, which will be implemented with less funding. The IFAD National Project Coordinator, Dr Abiodun Sanni, disclosed that nine such projects are ongoing in the state, with a focus on agrarian communities like Mahintedo.
The State Project Coordinator, Prince Olawale Ademola said the projects are part of a larger program implemented in 100 communities across 10 local government areas in Ondo State. He emphasised that the projects will enhance productivity, contribute to food security, and promote the production and consumption of Nigerian-made agricultural products.
