The groundbreaking ceremony to convert the Eruwa Farm Settlement into the Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub holds today, Thursday, 21 November 2024. The farm settlement, established in the 1950s by the then Western Nigeria Government, once stood as a beacon of agricultural innovation. Located a short distance from Eruwa Town, this facility was initially designed to support farming communities and boost agricultural productivity. However, over the decades, it fell into disuse, with its settlements underutilised and lacking the infrastructure necessary to support thriving business activities.
Recognising the need to revive this iconic settlement, the Oyo State Government has embarked on a transformation of the Eruwa Farm Settlement into the Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub. This upgrade, modelled after the success of the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, aligns with the vision of creating a modern, integrated farming system incorporating agro-tourism. Recall that the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub was once the moribund Fasola Farm Settlement and was picked as the pilot of three farm settlements (along with Eruwa and Akufo) to be reconstructed into an agribusiness industrial hub. The Fasola Hub, which is nearly completed, already has ten different medium-large-scale agribusinesses operating fully at the hub engaged in crop production, livestock production, mechanisation and processing enterprises. There are also leisure and residential facilities at the hub.
Partnership for Progress – The Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub
The reconstruction of the Eruwa Farm Settlement into the Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub is a collaborative effort between the Oyo State Government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme. This public-private partnership seeks to enhance farm productivity, add value to agricultural produce, and create sustainable jobs within the State.
The SAPZ programme focuses on developing agro-processing clusters in areas of high agricultural production. By rapidly building modern agro-processing capacities, the initiative addresses key challenges such as post-harvest losses, market access for farmers, and the growing demand for processed food. This transformation aims to create wealth for farmers, promote import substitution, and contribute significantly to the State’s economic growth.
Features of the New Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub
The Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub spans an impressive 3,250 hectares, strategically divided to maximise functionality:
Zone A – Industrial Hub (50 Hectares)
A designated area within the hub will house state-of-the-art processing plants for value addition and warehouses to store finished products. This infrastructure will serve both the hub and farmers in neighbouring communities.
Zone B – Resort (350 Hectares)
A unique resort will offer leisure and educational experiences centred on sustainable farming practices. This agro-tourism initiative will attract visitors, promote environmental awareness, and contribute to the local economy.
Zone C – Production Centre (2800 Hectares)
Most of the land will support mechanised farming and livestock ranching, introducing modern techniques to boost productivity and efficiency.
Zone D – Resettlement (50 Hectares)
Facilities to enhance the well-being of workers and residents include:
– Residential properties
– A crèche for children
– Emergency fire services
– Healthcare facilities
– Equipment leasing centres
– Electricity and water supply powered by the on-site Eruwa Waterworks.
Zone E – Water Corporation
A Promising Future
The transformation of the Eruwa Farm Settlement into an agribusiness industrial hub is a bold step toward sustainable agricultural development. It demonstrates Oyo State’s commitment to empowering farmers, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth through innovation and collaboration.
This hub is more than an upgrade—it’s a blueprint for the future of agriculture, blending productivity, education, and leisure to enrich lives and communities. The Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub, one of the 3 farm settlements to be converted into an industrial hub (along with Fasola and Akufo), is on its way to transformation. The agricultural sector in Oyo State which was once underperforming as it was driven by smallholder farmers involved in small-scale farming, is poised to become a model for integrated farming systems and agrotourism in Nigeria.
