Ondo Declassifies 15,000 Hectares for High-Tech Farming as Noreta Farms Takes Off
5th February, 2026
Ondo State has declassified 15,000 hectares of land for large-scale cultivation of oil palm, cashew and cocoa, marking a major push by the state government to expand private investment and modernise agriculture.
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa disclosed this on Wednesday at the groundbreaking ceremony of Noreta Farms, a technology-driven agribusiness project located at Owena-Idanre, along the Akure–Ondo Road.
The governor said the land declassification was part of a deliberate policy to attract investors, create jobs and reposition Ondo State as a hub for industrial-scale and export-oriented agriculture.
According to him, the Noreta Farms project goes beyond symbolic commencement, describing it as a commitment to innovation, trust and sustainable economic growth for the state.
“This initiative is designed to transform agriculture from a subsistence activity into a viable, export-oriented and wealth-creating sector,” Aiyedatiwa said. “It will create jobs, empower our youths and strengthen the state’s economy.”
He commended Noreta Farms Limited for choosing Ondo State for its closed-environment, precision farming project, noting that it aligns with the administration’s economic diversification agenda.
The governor added that the state’s OUR EASE policy—focused on infrastructure support, policy clarity, ease of doing business and security—has helped create a favourable environment for investors.
He further disclosed that Ondo State has strengthened its security architecture through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with local communities to guarantee a stable investment climate.
Highlighting agriculture as one of the state’s strongest comparative advantages, Aiyedatiwa said the government is promoting value addition through programmes such as Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), under which Ondo has become a major supplier of tomatoes to Lagos State.
He noted that several investors, including JB, Saudit Farms, Tropic, SAO Farms, Bambi Palms, ACME Farms and Bola Oil, are already engaged in oil palm production on declassified lands, contributing to employment generation and reduced unemployment.
The governor described Noreta Farms as a practical demonstration of the state’s agricultural vision, adding that the project would create jobs, facilitate skills transfer and open new markets for local communities.
In his welcome address, Board member of Noreta Farms Limited, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said the company chose Ondo State after assessing government support, security and the enabling environment for private sector participation across the South-West.
“Noreta Farms is leading innovation in farming in Nigeria, and our goal is to contribute meaningfully to food security and national development,” he said.
Olajengbesi revealed that the project’s initial phase would cover 15,000 hectares under Precision Green Farming, also known as closed-environment farming, adding that the long-term vision is to establish the largest market farm in West Africa.
Also speaking, a consultant to the project, Samuel Bagnor, thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in the company and for selecting it as a technological partner.
The event was attended by top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Commissioners, security chiefs and other senior officials.
