South West states to bolster food security with land clearing, farm security

By Oluseye Ojo

In a strategic move to enhance food security and agricultural productivity, the South West states are set to embark on a comprehensive plan involving massive land clearing and reinforcement of farm security measures.

This was made known during a oundtable discussion on food security organised by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Wednesday.

The six states in the region agreed to establish specialised units within the Amotekun corps to fortify farm security.

Key stakeholders at the meeting included the Commissioners of Agriculture from Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo, as well as a representative from Lagos State.

The Director-General of the commission, Seye Oyeleye, emphasised the need to dispel misconceptions about the region’s agricultural capacity and underscored the urgency of developing practical recommendations for implementation by state governors.

Among the resolutions adopted were plans to clear vast tracts of land, improve security measures, and promote the cultivation of short-term crops, such as maize, sweet potatoes, and vegetables.

The states also committed to reviving dormant dams for irrigation, enhancing mechanisation along the agricultural value chain, adopting a cluster farming approach, expanding input distribution networks, and establishing an electronic agriculture database.

The meeting was also attended by prominent figures in the agricultural sector, including the Managing Director of the Southwest Agriculture Company (SWAgCo) and representatives from NIRSAL and the Arise Industrial Platform.