Groups Sign Partnership Agreement to Boost Agriculture for National Development
By Taiwo Olapade
Nigerians in the private sector have been urged to prioritize investment in agriculture, while the government must create an enabling environment for such investments to thrive.
This call is premised on the fact that agriculture remains a critical pillar of the nation’s economy in terms of food security, raw material production, and job creation.
Chairman of First Owat Group and initiator of Farm4Me, a programme championing backward integration in farming, Mr. Tobiloba Samuel Oyatoye, made this call during the Agro-Investment Programme and partnership signing held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) building in Ikeja, Lagos.
Oyatoye explained that farming has advanced beyond subsistence level into a value-chain system that spans from cultivation to the market and finally to consumers.
He noted that this was the inspiration behind the Farm4Me initiative, which responds to the growing demand for sustainable food systems. According to him, the programme is designed to attract, facilitate, and manage strategic investments in the agricultural sector.
Highlighting the progress made, Oyatoye disclosed that the investment drive had led to the establishment of the First Owat Farm Estate in Odeda Local Government Area and another in Yewa North, Ogun State, both dedicated to crop production.
He added that the farm estate in Obafemi Owode caters to varieties of crops including maize, cassava, yam, onions, and potatoes, while a Fish Estate has also been established at Gberigbe in Lagos.
Encouraging investors to take advantage of these farm settlements, Oyatoye stressed:
“The programme aims to bridge the gap between farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, and distant investors. Through this initiative, we seek to unlock the full potential of the agricultural value chain — from land acquisition, leasing, planting, and processing to distribution.”
Also speaking, the Lead Strategist of the programme, Mr. Samuel Omoniyi, walked participants through the process of integrating into the initiative, emphasizing that food remains the most critical sector in the nation’s socio-security system.
“By opening doors for the general public to invest, the programme will stimulate rural economies, reduce poverty, and contribute to national food security goals.
It is a call to action for investors and development partners to channel resources into agribusinesses that are profitable, inclusive, and climate-resilient,” Omoniyi concluded.
