Ooni calls on FG to intensify efforts to address agricultural insecurity

Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, has called on the federal government to step up efforts to address the insecurity bedevilling the country’s agricultural sector.

The monarch spoke during his recent visit to Agbeyewa Farms in Ekiti state, which boasts 20,000 hectares of cassava plantations.

The Ooni commended Agbeyewa Farms for transforming Ekiti North, which he said was previously plagued by insecurity, into a thriving hub for cassava cultivation.

He also spoke about the need for innovation in agriculture, praising the farm’s mechanized plantation as a game-changer for Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.

Ogunwusi highlighted the vast potential of cassava derivatives, such as sorbitol, starch, and ethanol, which he said could attract foreign investment and generate job opportunities. He stressed the importance of involving youths in agriculture to drive economic growth.

“I’m here to see things for myself because seeing is believing. Clearly, Agbeyewa has established itself as the largest cassava producer in Nigeria. There is absolutely no reason why we should be a poor nation,” he said during his two-day visit to the farm which spanned five communities including Ipao and Itapaji.

Ogunwusi also called for urgent action to resolve the security challenges that deter farmers from cultivating their lands.

“Nigerians have often been wary of doing the hard part of agriculture, but it’s time we face these challenges. Our nation depends on it. I’m taking it upon myself to be a major advocate for combating insecurity in agriculture,” he said.

“The current administration is making progress, but we need to be more serious as a nation. We must unite and face these challenges head-on to secure a brighter future for agriculture and for Nigeria as a whole.”

The traditional ruler also praised John Olajide, chairman of Agbeyewa Farms, for his visionary leadership in turning a “once-troubled region into an agricultural success story”.