The Group Managing Director of OOK Farms Group, Omolara Svensson, has encouraged both the youths and adults to go back to farming for agri-business opportunities, saying Oyo State has the potential of feeding the whole of West Africa, as the company concluded its plan to launch its online agribusiness radio and tv.
Omolara, who participated in a radio program tagged “Lawujowa”, on Jamz 100.1FM on Monday, in Ibadan.
According to her, Oyo State is blessed with hectares of farmland but we are not making good use of them for agricultural purposes. “Agriculture in a value chain and can be found in Hospitality, Real Estate, Tourism, and even Youth empowerment. There’s no food crop that cannot grow in every part of Oyo State, including Rice, Millet, Maize, Cassava, Soya, Cucumber, Potato, Water Mellow, etc, even right here in Fashola village.
When asked how food plantations can contribute to the growth of the country’s economy, she said, firstly, we need to have sufficient food. “I can authoritatively tell you that Oyo State can feed the whole of West Africa. If most of us go back to the farm for farming, this will lead to sufficient food, and with that, we’re having a direct positive impact on our economy.
“Another point is food exportation, we can be exporting garri, rice, elubo (yam flower), and many more to the neighboring African country like Togo, Mali, Niger Republic, etc, with the proceeds coming back to our economy in Nigeria.
The OOK CEO, said, the company is making an effort to make the youths and adults see the benefits of agriculture, “farmers can be likened to medical doctors or any other professional or administrative jobs because all the food that the doctors, government or office workers, etc will eat comes from the farm”, she added.
She said the company presently has a smooth relationship with the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), and that they are also planning to have more collaboration with the Oyo state government, under the administration of Engr. Seyi Makinde. She, therefore, pleaded with the governor to work according to his manifesto on agriculture in his 2nd term campaign.
Omolara, therefore, advised the citizens to support the government in order for them to be able to provide good governance at all levels. She also advised the farmers to be in unity and youth to see the benefits of agriculture and agribusiness.
OOK Farms is set to launch its online radio and online tv on the 18th of June, 2023 at IITA, Ibadan. The TV and Radio would only be focusing on agriculture and agribusiness programs. This is set to be the first of its kind, in terms of functionality, agriculture contents, and agribusiness programs.
