Ahead of the November 16 Ondo State governorship election, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi, has pledged to revive the agricultural sector by promising to activate a cargo airport that would facilitate the export of local farm produce.
Ajayi expressed this vision during a debate against the incumbent governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, held on Sunday.
He noted that the establishment of the airport would improve farmers’ incomes and enable them to access wider markets.
Ajayi criticized the existing lack of storage infrastructure for farm products, pointing out the hardships farmers face when crops spoil soon after harvest.
“You need to pity the farmers. By the time they harvest plantain, in five days it gets destroyed because there is no storage facility and no encouragement.
“When I am governor, I am going to establish that facility,” Ajayi stated, underscoring his resolve to address these storage challenges if elected.
Additionally, Ajayi pledged to establish a cocoa processing plant that would produce chocolates and other cocoa-based products within Ondo State, thereby putting an end to the prevalent practice of exporting raw cocoa.
“We will also establish a good cocoa processing factory for the production of chocolates and everything.
“What is going on is that they will just buy the cocoa, take it to Lagos and export that raw product abroad,” Ajayi said, noting the missed economic opportunities for the state by exporting unprocessed goods.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, meanwhile, highlighted the efforts his administration has made to promote agricultural productivity.
Aiyedatiwa noted the abundance of cash crops in Ondo State and pointed to his government’s efforts in converting these crops into value-added products, which he said has begun to yield benefits for residents.
He cited the government’s initiative last year to clear 10,000 hectares of land, a move aimed at encouraging youth participation in agriculture, particularly in cocoa farming.
Aiyedatiwa also outlined the increase in investor interest in the state’s palm oil sector, for which Ondo is known, as a sign of his administration’s success in creating an attractive business environment.
The debate, which lasted approximately two hours, saw the candidates challenge each other on various issues, including security, agriculture, and economic policies.