Ondo State Government has deployed military officers to farmlands across the state as part of a move to protect farmers from incessant herder-related attacks and also boost food security in the state.

Communities in the farming belts of the state had recently been faced with killings and displacement of farmers, particularly in the Akure North Local Council Area of the state.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Mr. Rotimi Akinsola, the move was part of the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s measures to restore confidence and protect livelihoods.

Disclosing this on Wednesday, Akinsola disclosed that the state government had deployed more than 22 military officers to the Ala axis following recent attacks by suspected herders that claimed the lives of some farmers.

The governor’s aide stated, “Our forests are safe, especially from criminal activities. Right now, we have stationed military officers in Ala to secure the land and restore confidence for our farmers and investors. This action will deter criminals from using the forests as hideouts.”

According to him, the government’s immediate target is to open up vast farmlands for cultivation by both smallholder farmers and large-scale investors.

“We are already working with investors who have the capacity to cultivate large expanses of land. By clearing and securing the area, other farmers will also be free to do their work without fear or intimidation.”

Akinsola stressed that agriculture remains central to Aiyedatiwa’s economic blueprint, not only as a tool for food sufficiency but also as a pathway for youth empowerment.

“Under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s policy on agribusiness, we aim to encourage our youths to pursue careers in agriculture by implementing the sanatorium farms system, which we are currently establishing. If the land were easily accessible, those things would have been fast-tracked for moving.

“So we are engaging more private land to get this done until we can resolve these farmers on our cropland. The encroachment is quite bad. We have 16 forest reserves.

“We cannot really boast about where we are going to put the next investor except when we go there and plant. However, we must fight for every inch of land that belongs to the government so that it can be utilised effectively.

“This is designed to create structured farming clusters where youths can gain access to land, training, and opportunities. This is part of our strategy to address unemployment while improving food production.”

He added that while the government is determined to protect farming communities, the challenge of encroachment on forest reserves will be addressed by the state government.

“Ondo has 16 forest reserves, but many of them have been encroached upon. We cannot boast of where to put the next investor unless we reclaim these lands. That is why securing them is a top priority.

“With these measures, we are confident that food security will be enhanced, unemployment reduced, and Ondo will emerge as a hub of agribusiness in Nigeria,” Akinsola affirmed.