The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA), Dr. Adedeji Ashiru, has revealed that the agency has procured 25 tractors for dry-season farming and awarded contracts for the construction of seven dams with irrigation facilities across its four-state coverage area. This initiative is part of the agency’s broader efforts to enhance food security in Nigeria.
Ashiru also announced plans to establish a strong and strategic partnership with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) to further boost agricultural productivity in the country.
According to a statement released on Thursday by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr. Adeniyi Saliu, Ashiru made these disclosures during a courtesy visit by the Governing Council of FUNAAB, led by its Chairman, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji land.
Welcoming the delegation, Ashiru emphasized the importance of collaboration between both institutions in advancing agriculture.
“We are honored to receive the Governing Council of FUNAAB, and we see this visit as a valuable opportunity to strengthen our partnership in promoting sustainable agriculture, ensuring food security, and empowering young Nigerians to become leaders in the agricultural sector,” Ashiru stated.
He further explained, “To support food security, O-ORBDA has procured 25 tractors to facilitate dry-season farming and has awarded contracts for the construction of seven dams with irrigation facilities across the states under our jurisdiction.”
Ashiru also noted that O-ORBDA’s team would soon visit FUNAAB’s dam site to assess the potential for an irrigation project. The aim is to maximize the use of the university’s vast agricultural land.
Highlighting the agency’s commitment to youth empowerment, he spoke about the Graduate Youth Empowerment Programme, which recently inducted 50 graduates. Participants will receive six months of training in modern agricultural practices, after which they will be equipped to establish their own farms.
“With available land at FUNAAB, successful graduates from our training program could be allocated plots within the university to encourage agricultural entrepreneurship,” Ashiru added. “This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to ensure food security across the nation.”
He expressed confidence that the engagement with FUNAAB would lead to impactful outcomes benefiting both institutions and the country at large.
Strengthening Agricultural Collaboration
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Oba Olabomi, emphasized the need for collaboration between the university and O-ORBDA, noting that both institutions share common goals in food security.
“Our institutions are neighbors, we share boundaries, and we have similar objectives related to food security. It is crucial that we establish a strong synergy between O-ORBDA and FUNAAB,” Oba Olabomi said.
He pointed out that such a partnership could also generate job opportunities for graduates, enabling them to transition into farming.
“With O-ORBDA providing irrigation facilities and FUNAAB making land available, we can create a thriving agricultural hub that benefits young farmers and the broader community,” he explained.
The traditional ruler also highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between academic research and practical farming applications, ensuring that innovations from FUNAAB reach local farmers and contribute to national food production.
“The university focuses on research and training, and it is essential that our research findings are translated into tangible benefits for communities,” he said. “There must be a strong connection between academia and real-world farming to drive agricultural transformation.”
He commended the agency’s efforts in supporting mechanized farming, noting the presence of tractors within O-ORBDA’s premises.
“When we create a conducive environment for young people, they will embrace agriculture. This visit marks the beginning of a long-term partnership that will yield mutual benefits for both institutions and the entire Southwest region,” Oba Olabomi affirmed.
FUNAAB’s Commitment to Agricultural Excellence
The Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Olusola Kehinde, expressed gratitude to O-ORBDA’s management for the warm reception and pledged the university’s commitment to national agricultural development.
“As the leading university of agriculture in Africa and the seventh-best in the world, we are committed to serving Nigeria’s agricultural sector more effectively,” Kehinde said.
He reiterated the university’s readiness to work closely with O-ORBDA in advancing food security initiatives and supporting the government’s agricultural transformation agenda.
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