Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State marked his second anniversary in office by unveiling the Imole Agropreneur Project, which aims to cultivate 31,000 hectares of land across all 30 local governments and the area council. The launch, held at Imesi Ile in the Obokun Local Government Area, was attended by community leaders and key government officials from the Ijesa North federal constituency.
The project is designed to empower farmers, promote food security, and foster wealth creation for both young and old farmers. Governor Adeleke, who recently reinvigorated the state's agro-mechanization efforts with the purchase of tractors after a 12-year gap, emphasized that the initiative aligns with one of the administration's primary goals.
"This Imole Agropreneur Project will be replicated across all local governments in the state," said the Governor, describing it as a comprehensive and holistic approach. "It's not just about providing materials or tools, but about ensuring beneficiaries receive training, skill development, and mentoring," he added.
The project will target at least 1,000 hectares per local government for mechanized farming and local empowerment, with extension services and technical support provided to ensure success. A key feature of the initiative is its off-take program, which connects agropreneurs with buyers, ensuring financial sustainability.
Governor Adeleke also emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, stressing that local communities will be partners in the project’s execution, ensuring communal ownership. Additionally, the project aims to establish micro agro-processing platforms with a focus on export markets, positioning Osun farmers for both local and international success.
He tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security with overseeing the initiative, urging stakeholders to treat the program as a serious business, not a bureaucratic endeavor. The Governor further directed the establishment of a public-private partnership (PPP) management model at the local level to run the project effectively.
Hon. Tola Fasheru, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, praised the Governor’s contributions to transforming the state's agricultural sector, noting that 2025 is poised to be a highly productive year for Osun's farmers.
In a separate ceremony, the Owaooye of Imesi Ile, Oba Enoch Ademola, honored Governor Adeleke as the "Kiriji Icon of Yorubaland" in recognition of his significant contributions to the state’s development over the past two years.
Post a Comment