As the conversation around economic development and food security in Oyo State gathers momentum ahead of 2027, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two-time gubernatorial aspirant, Barr Akeem Agbaje, has reiterated his commitment to revamping the agricultural sector and repositioning it as the driving force of the state’s economy.

Barr. Agbaje, speaking recently at a closed consultative session with stakeholders in rural development and agribusiness, described agriculture as the most strategic asset in Oyo State’s quest for prosperity and job creation. He noted that the state, with its vast land resources, occupies a place of advantage in the South-West and must now move beyond traditional farming to a more productive and inclusive agricultural economy.

He emphasized that the large expanse of fertile land across Oyo, especially in agricultural zones like Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, and Oyo Central, remains significantly underutilized and must be properly harnessed to feed the people, create jobs, and build local wealth.

He noted that Oyo holds a prominent position in the production of several key crops and livestock in Nigeria, including yam, cassava, maize, cocoa, and poultry. According to him, these are not just statistics but clear indicators of the state’s capacity to lead in food production and agribusiness across the country.

“Do you know that Oyo is a major supplier of eggs and leads the South-West in poultry production? These are not just facts; they are opportunities,” Agbaje said. “We must move from producing raw commodities to processing them, packaging them, and exporting them. That is how to create jobs. That is how to grow an economy. That is how to restore dignity to our rural communities.”

The legal luminary expressed deep concern over the post-harvest losses suffered by farmers, especially in perishable crops, attributing them to poor storage, lack of access to processing facilities, and absence of rural infrastructure. He added that many smallholder farmers, who represent the backbone of the farming population in Oyo, lack the needed support to scale their productivity or access modern equipment, a situation that calls for immediate policy attention.

He maintained that if given the opportunity to lead, his administration would focus on creating a strong agricultural value chain in Oyo State, from production to processing, packaging, distribution, and marketing. He stated that agricultural development under his watch would not be limited to land cultivation but would include investment in rural roads, storage facilities, mechanization centres, youth training, and partnerships with private sector investors and development partners.

He said, “What we need is leadership with clarity of purpose. Our people should not be farming only to survive. They should be farming to prosper. And this can only happen when agriculture is treated as a business, supported with infrastructure, capital, access to markets, and technology.”

The guber hopeful also pointed to the growing promise of greenhouse farming and digital irrigation systems, citing pilot projects in places like Akufo Farm Village, as evidence that technology-driven agriculture is already feasible in Oyo State. He affirmed that such innovations must be scaled across local governments to boost food security and empower the youth.

Reflecting on the government’s role, the scion of Agbaje Salami layeye acknowledged existing interventions such as the Oyo State Agribusiness Strategy and the World Bank-assisted APPEALS Project, which have supported farmers with inputs and training. However, he maintained that more is required in terms of policy depth, financial access, land reforms, and investment incentives to make agriculture truly viable for the people.

His vision revolves around creating a sustainable and inclusive agricultural economy where farmers are respected, rural communities are developed, and Oyo becomes a major hub for agro-processing and export in Nigeria. “Agriculture is not just about planting and harvesting. It is about building a system that feeds, employs, and enriches the people. That is the value chain I see for Oyo State.”