Analysing Abono’s Declaration Speech to Modernize Farming, Day 3
A frontline aspirant for the Irepodun Constituency seat in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Ahmed Babajide Olanrewaju, popularly known as ‘Abono,’ has unveiled a comprehensive agricultural modernization plan aimed at transitioning local farmers from subsistence to large-scale commercial success.
The initiative, which forms the third pillar of his “Covenant of Service” unveiled during his declaration seeks to leverage his extensive experience with World Bank-funded projects to address the systemic challenges of low productivity and post-harvest losses within the constituency.
Speaking during a series of stakeholder engagements in his ancestral home of Arandun, Olanrewaju lamented that despite the vast arable land in Kwara South, many farmers remain trapped in a cycle of poverty due to a lack of mechanization and direct market access.
“Irepodun possesses the soil and the spirit to feed not just Kwara, but the entire North Central region,” Olanrewaju said.
“However, we cannot achieve 21st-century results with 19th-century tools. My vision is to introduce an ‘Agro-Innovation’ model that replaces the hoe with the tractor and the middleman with digital market linkages.” He added.
The ICT expert turned politician detailed a plan to establish equipment sharing hubs across the constituency. Under this model, smallholder farmers would gain affordable access to tractors, planters, and harvesters. This strategy is expected to reduce the cost of land preparation by over 60%, allowing local farmers to cultivate larger acreages with less physical strain.
Drawing on his background in international research and ICT, Olanrewaju proposed the creation of a “Digital Commodity Exchange” for Irepodun. This platform would provide real-time pricing data to farmers, protecting them from exploitative pricing by intermediaries and connecting them directly with industrial off-takers in Lagos and other commercial hubs.
“We are bringing the World Bank standard to Irepodun,” he added. “By integrating technology into our local supply chain, we ensure that every tuber of yam or bag of maize harvested in Rore, Ipetu, or Aran-Orin finds a high-value market.”
A cornerstone of the blueprint is the aggressive advocacy for the rehabilitation of the Arandun-Rore-Ipetu-Aran-Orin road.
Olanrewaju described the route as a vital “Agro-Corridor” that must be prioritized to ensure that farm produce reaches urban centers before spoilage occurs.
The aspirant, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasized that his agricultural plan is designed to complement the rural developmental strides of the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led administration.
9japarrot reports that Olanrewaju’s blend of local roots and international exposure provides a unique advantage for the constituency’s growth ahead of the 2027 polls.
