Gov Aiyedatiwa, FAO Pledge Stronger Action on Food Security, Land Use Reforms

Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to boost food security, youth empowerment, and land reforms.

Governor Aiyedatiwa gave the assurance while receiving the FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dr. Hussein Gadain, and his team.

He commended FAO for its support since the partnership began in July 2024, particularly in the areas of forest mapping through GIS technology, farmers’ training, and advocacy.

He however pledged further collaboration on land allocation for farmers, youth recruitment into agribusiness, and budgetary support, stressing the need for local government land committees to resolve encroachment and scarcity issues.

Governor Aiyedatiwa also emphasized the importance of training younger farmers, recalling the “Youth on Ridges” initiative from a previous administration, which provided land for young people to farm.

In his remarks, Dr. Gadain expressed appreciation to the state government for the partnership and highlighted FAO’s ongoing projects in Ondo State, including the GEF7 Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) initiative and the newly approved GEF7 Biodiversity project. These projects, he explained, focus on biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.

He further disclosed that over 3,800 hectares of degraded forests had been restored in Ondo State, with another one million seedlings set for delivery. FAO’s interventions, he added, would not only strengthen food security and create jobs but also align with global standards such as the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation, thereby expanding export opportunities for the state.