OSUN: GOVERNOR Adeleke Launches Imole Agropreneur Project, Targets Cultivation Of 31,000 Hectares Of Land

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WATCH OUT FOR “Health Palaver” FROM THE STABLE OF ‘THE HONOURABLES’ tomorrow, Thursday, December 12, 2024.

OSUN State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 launched the IMOLE Agropreneur Project, targeting 31,000 Hectares of land for cultivation across the 30 local governments and the area council.

The launching held at Imesi Ile, Obokun local government of the state and witnessed by community leaders and top government officials from Ijesa North federal constituency saw the unveiling of the project designed to empower farmers, ensure food security and create wealth among young and old farmers.

The Governor who recently purchased tractors for the state agro-mechanisation project after 12 years, described the agropreneur initiative as a testament to the realisation of one of the key objectives of the administration, declaring “we are here to launch the Statewide Imole Agropreneur Model Project which will be replicated across all local governments in the state.

Describing the project as holistic and comprehensive, the Governor said the programme is not merely providing materials or tools, it will ensure that beneficiaries receive training, skills development and mentoring”, adding that “This dual strategy of empowerment and capacity building will equip our youth and women to maximize the resources provided to achieve long-term impact.

The Governor spoke further on the details of the project:

“Each Local Government Area is to allocate a minimum of 1,000 hectares of land for mechanised farming and local empowerment initiatives. We are providing extension services, technical support, and other essential resources to ensure the beneficiaries’ success.

“The programme also includes an off taking programme. A strong linkage is to be established between the agropreneurs and off takers of farm produce. This strategy will strengthen financial returns and sustainability of the model.

“This programme has a strong public – private partnership content. Each local community is a partner with the government in the operations of this initiative. This is to ensure communal ownership.

“Additionally, this initiative is to create a starting point for micro agro – processing platforms with a target on export markets. It is our expectation that the agropreneur project will produce a new team of modern farmers with an eye on both local and international markets”, the Governor told the cheering crowd.

The Governor tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to monitor the progress of this initiative by offering continuous technical assistance to participants, warning that oversight is not the same as direct running of the project.

The Governor spoke further: “It is imperative for all stakeholders to treat this initiative as a serious business. The entire package has a strong business model. We cannot run it like a bureaucratic project. It won’t work.

“The oversight from the Ministry should not be construed as the ministry running the Agropreneur project. That is not the conception.

That is the reason why I am further directing that a PPP management model be established in each Local Government for the operations of the project”, the Governor admonished the stakeholders.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon Tola Fasheru described the Governor’s records in the agricultural sector as impressive, noting that the administration has positively changed the narrative of the state agricultural sector.

“Mr Governor has launched a solid foundation for agro-mechanisation on one hand and agro-prosperity on the other hand. 2025 promises to be a super – productive year for Osun farmers after the successes of this current year”, Faseru posited.

The Owaooye of Imesi Ile, Oba Enoch Ademola and his chiefs had earlier declared Governor Adeleke as the Kiriji Icon of Yorubaland in recognition of his immense contribution to state development within the last two years.

The recognition was conferred on the Governor at the palace of the Owaooye when the Governor paid a courtesy visit to the royal father.