Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has identified land clearing as one of the most pressing challenges discouraging farmers—especially young people—from embracing mechanised agriculture in Nigeria.
Governor Aiyedatiwa made the observation on Monday during a meeting with a delegation from the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), led by the Ondo State Coordinator, Mr. Olusola Ayandokun. The meeting was held at the Governor’s Office in Akure, the state capital.
While commending the efforts of NALDA in supporting agricultural development across the country, Governor Aiyedatiwa stressed that the cost and labour intensity of clearing farmlands continues to be a major setback for new and small-scale farmers, particularly youths who lack access to capital and modern equipment.
“Land clearing remains one of the biggest obstacles for our farmers. It is expensive, time-consuming, and for young people just trying to get into agriculture, this becomes a huge barrier,” the Governor stated.
He further explained that although the federal and state governments have made considerable investments to revitalise the agriculture sector, more attention needs to be given to easing land development processes, including mechanised clearing, ploughing, and infrastructure support.
“If we are serious about getting more youths into farming and driving food security, we must first remove the foundational obstacles. Making cleared, arable land available to farmers is the starting point,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The Governor assured the NALDA delegation of his administration’s readiness to collaborate more closely on projects that will improve access to farmland, agricultural technology, and capacity-building for young farmers. He noted that Ondo State, with its vast fertile land and favourable climate, is well-positioned to become a major hub for modern agriculture in Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Olusola Ayandokun, the NALDA State Coordinator, praised the state government for its ongoing efforts in promoting agriculture and rural development. He explained that NALDA is focused on enhancing land access and development across the country, especially for youth and women.
“Our mandate is to identify and develop arable land for agricultural purposes, provide support services, and train a new generation of Nigerian farmers,” Ayandokun said. “We are confident that with stronger partnerships at the state level, Ondo can benefit more from NALDA’s land development and youth farming initiatives.”
He also highlighted some of NALDA’s upcoming plans, which include expanding its land clearing programs in Ondo State, supporting livestock and crop production schemes, and working closely with communities to develop agricultural clusters that will attract private investment.
Both parties discussed the need to align strategies to promote food security, job creation, and youth empowerment through agriculture. The meeting ended with a shared commitment to remove barriers standing in the way of agricultural productivity and to jointly champion policies that will make farming more attractive, accessible, and profitable.
Governor Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a sustainable economic driver for the state and pledged to strengthen ties with relevant federal agencies like NALDA to accelerate that goal.
