Governor Aiyedatiwa Reaffirms Support For Agribusiness, Plants Palm Tree At SAO Agro Estate

SAO Agro, a key investor leading the Ondo Special Agro Processing Zone, recently welcomed Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to its 10,120-hectare commercial oil palm estate in Ore, Ondo State.

The visit highlighted the state government’s commitment to supporting large-scale agribusinesses like SAO Agro and JB Farms, which employ thousands and drive food security and rural development.

As a symbolic show of support, Governor Aiyedatiwa and the Commissioner of Finance planted palm trees at the estate, reinforcing their dedication to SAO Agro’s oil palm programme. He also praised the company’s infrastructure investments, including over 375 km of rural roads and 16 bridges.

The governor issued a directive for illegal farmers to vacate SAO Agro’s concessioned land, assuring them of alternative farmland, while SAO Agro pledged to provide over 100,000 hybrid cocoa, oil palm, and plantain seedlings to aid their transition.

SAO Agro continues to expand, having transplanted over 650,000 oil palm seedlings while investing in drone technology, irrigation, and sustainable farming practices. The company’s community initiatives include scholarships, health centre rehabilitations, and solar electrification for SMEs and households.

CEO Ayo Sotinrin reaffirmed SAO Agro’s commitment to agricultural transformation, emphasizing its role in nation-building. Looking ahead to 2025, the company plans to expand its cultivation area and revamp a 30,000-metric-ton cocoa processing facility to boost Nigeria’s agro-processing sector.