Abuja: The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arzikin Noma Nigeria Ltd to jointly manage and implement the Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate (RHMFE) project. The initiative seeks to attract youths to farming, improve productivity, curb migration, and boost agricultural exports.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Mr. Cornelius Adebayo, stated during the signing ceremony that the farm estate, covering 5,000 hectares, aims to build sustainable rural communities that meet the aspirations of the new generation. The mega farm estate, managed by Arzikin Noma, is located in Ora, Kwara, with similar projects under development in Ekiti and Bauchi States. This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, specifically aiming to make agriculture more appealing to young Nigerians.
Adebayo noted that on average, each farmer would have access to at least five hectares, as the project is fully mechanized. A mechanization hub within the cluster will provide tractor services and other equipment to farmers. He explained that the partnership would enhance productivity, strengthen monitoring and evaluation, improve extension services, and ensure adherence to international best practices. The project aims to address rural-urban migration, mitigate security challenges, and position Nigeria as a global hub for agricultural production, contributing to creating a much-needed middle class in Nigeria.
NALDA has provided land and other facilities such as hostels, an administrative block, warehouses, a police post, and recreational facilities, while Arzikin Noma will oversee full project management. Site clearing for the farm estate is ongoing, with construction of the hostels and administrative block at an advanced stage. Adebayo described Arzikin Noma as a reliable partner committed to ensuring quality input and output, financing participating farmers, providing inputs, and overseeing farm operations.
Mr. Michael Adeshola, Group Managing Director of Arzikin Noma, highlighted that the company’s business model focuses on supporting smallholder farmers to create jobs and achieve tractorisation sufficiency in agricultural production. The partnership will promote climate-smart agriculture, deploy technology, and guarantee offtake arrangements to help reduce rural-urban migration. Adeshola emphasized that the collaboration will strengthen food sovereignty and position Nigeria as a model for other African countries, transforming the food system, reducing food importation, and aiming to become a net exporter. In the long run, this will close the gap in foreign direct investment and create an enabling environment for young people, women, and the less privileged.