There has been very disturbing developments around our Farm Settlements in recent times.
I am aware of the fact that the current government in Oyo state promised to upgrade the Farm Settlements located around the zones of Oyo state to agricultural hubs.
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I am also aware of the fact that a loan of over N7billion initially meant for the purchase of tractors by the government of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi was diverted by this Government for the purpose of upgrading the Farm Settlements to Agricultural hubs.
I am further aware that the 4,000 hectares Eruwa Farm Settlements was eventually handed over to some investors almost two years ago and up till now, the said investors are yet to show up to do anything on the said 4,000 hectares of Land.
I am aware that the Eruwa Farm Waterworks, a legacy of Awolowo is sitting right at the center of the Eruwa Farm Settlement, if refurbished, has the capacity to serve the whole of Ibarapa land and could also be useful to test dry season farming.
I know that government also has a very large expanse of cashew plantation at new Eruwa in Ibarapa East Local Government and that this plantation could be brought back to life.
I am aware of the recent developments at Saki West and Ogbomoso where the communities are appealing to the present government to have a rethink about its alleged plans to hand over government land reserved for agricultural purposes to private investors and developers.
Sadly, I read some disturbing reports yesterday, which claimed that government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, had given a notice to farm settlers in Ogbomoso to vacate the land before the 30th of December, 2026.
I have to say, that I am seriously opposed to a situation where government would see land meant for agricultural purposes as an avenue to make quick money, either through direct sales of such government land or, through controversial PPP arrangements.
The Farm Settlements and parcel of Land in question are legacies bequeathed to us by our heroes past and when they conceived of them, it was for very specific purposes.
The essence of their conception have not been defeated, even, as at now.
Each of the farm settlements and farm land in question was conceived, leveraging on the comparative advantages provided by them.
Agriculture is a veritable source of providing food and jobs for our people and I believe and strongly so, that we must guard these legacies jealousy, for ourselves and future generations.
If the good people of Oyo state give us the mandate to steer the affairs of state by 2027, I promise to immediately review the status of each of all our Farm Settlements and farm land when i get the mandate as Governor of Oyo state, with a view to ensuring that government takes back full control and after that, we will go back to the original purpose of establishing the Farm Settlements in the first place.
We have to take possession of what belongs to us and as a responsible government, continue in line with the beliefs of our heroes, the late Chiefs Obafemi Awolowo and Ladoke Akintola, who was himself, a great son of Oyo state.
I assured the great people of Oyo state that nothing would be done with our common assets without the participation and input from all relevant stakeholders under our government.
Finally, I want to appeal to the present government to listen to the voices of our people at Saki and Ogbomoso.
If indeed there are plans to hand over the Veterinary Land at Saki and the Farm Settlements at Ogbomoso to private investors and the communities are against such steps, there is nothing wrong in Government accepting the position of the host Communities.
