Ondo, FAO Join Forces to Boost Food Security, Empower Youths

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has pledged his administration’s commitment to sustaining collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to promote food security, youth empowerment, and land reforms in the state.

The governor gave the assurance on Monday, September 29, 2025, while receiving a delegation led by the FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dr. Hussein Gadain, during a courtesy visit to his office in Akure.

Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved since the inauguration of the programme in July 2024, commending FAO for providing tools such as GIS for forest mapping, supporting farmers’ training, and driving advocacy initiatives.

The statement was made available to journalists in Akure on Tuesday by Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

He assured the FAO of Ondo State’s readiness to further collaborate, particularly in land allocation for farmers, recruitment of youths into agribusiness, and budgetary support for ongoing projects. The governor emphasised the need for land allocation committees at the local government level to tackle land scarcity and encroachment.

“Land is a very scarce factor of production. Many people are looking for land for expansion while new entrants are coming in, yet the land size remains the same. With local government land allocation committees, ownership will be guaranteed, reducing land grabbing and encroachment,” Governor Aiyedatiwa said.

He also highlighted the importance of training young people in agriculture, noting that “most farmers are ageing. Before they retire, it is better to train younger ones. We had Youth on Ridges in the last administration, where land was cleared and provided for young people to farm. We need to revisit that deliberately.”

Dr. Hussein Gadain, FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, described the visit as an opportunity to review ongoing FAO interventions and explore new collaboration in line with Ondo State’s priorities, including food security, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and natural resources management.

He explained that Ondo State currently benefits from two major FAO projects: the GEF7 Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) project and the GEF7 Biodiversity project, aimed at conserving biodiversity, restoring degraded forests, and supporting local livelihoods. FAO interventions include establishing a GIS laboratory, reviving agricultural extension services, introducing farmer field and business schools, policy dialogue on land access, and setting up solar-powered nurseries to produce two million seedlings for agroforestry.

According to Dr. Gadain, over 3,800 hectares of degraded forests have been restored, with another one million seedlings expected to be delivered to the state. He added that FAO’s efforts also align with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation, which will enhance food security, create jobs, expand export revenue, and strengthen ecosystem services in Ondo.

The event was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Commissioners for Agriculture and Forestry, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Energy and Mineral Resources, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Water Resources and Public Sanitation, as well as the Senior Special Assistant on Agric and Agribusiness.