The Oyo State Government has unveiled plans to establish a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) and an international-standard food wholesale market at the Ijaiye Farm Settlement in Akinyele Local Government Area, in what is being described as a transformative milestone for agribusiness in the state.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at Atan-Ijaiye, the Permanent Secretary of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Mr. Kolawole Badmus, confirmed that 3,000 hectares from the 7,581-hectare Ijaiye settlement have been earmarked for the dual projects. He assured farmers and settlers that the development will not displace them, but rather increase their earnings, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve access to local and export markets.
The initiative is backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and modeled after the globally renowned Rungis International Food Market in France.
“We are building a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone and a Rungis-style international agribusiness market,” Badmus explained. “This is about value addition, efficient marketing, and creating wealth for our farmers. The era of waste and underpricing is over.”
Makinde’s Vision: From Raw Output to Processed Profit
Governor Seyi Makinde, known for his agribusiness-driven development approach, is said to have initiated the project after research revealed that hundreds of trailer-loads of cassava and cashew leave Oyo State weekly with little to no economic return for the state.
Badmus cited the Fasola Agribusiness Hub already operational evidence that such initiatives can succeed without compromising farmers’ interests.
“Fasola is 100 per cent functional and thriving. The same concerns farmers expressed there were addressed cashew plantations are intact, processing is underway, and economic activity is booming,” he said.
Addressing Farmers’ Concerns
Some farmers had expressed fears of displacement and crop loss. However, Badmus insisted these fears are unfounded.
“We began engaging with farmers in 2020. Their names and participation in earlier meetings are documented,” he said. “There will be proper enumeration of all farmers and their crops to ensure transparency and fair treatment.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to compensation, relocation (if necessary), and partnership rather than dispossession.
Survey Completed, Ground-breaking Set
The Office of the Surveyor-General has reportedly completed all land demarcations, and a groundbreaking (sod-turning) ceremony is scheduled for Saturday.
The project is expected to attract agribusiness investors, create jobs, enhance food processing capacity, and position Oyo as a regional hub for agricultural exports.
Local Government Excitement
Mr. Akinwole Akinleye, Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, hailed the project as a “game changer” that will bring rapid socioeconomic growth to the area.
“This project will not only transform agriculture but also bring infrastructural development and job opportunities to our people. We are proud to host it,” he said.
With this bold initiative, Oyo State continues to demonstrate how visionary agricultural planning can bridge the gap between farming and profit, ushering in a new era of agribusiness empowerment for farmers and food producers.
