Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has unveiled plans to establish large-scale Farmers’ Markets across the state to connect farmers directly with consumers and eliminate middlemen’s influence in the agricultural value chain.

Speaking during an inspection of the ongoing Farmers’ Market project in Asero, Abeokuta, on Tuesday, Abiodun blamed rising food prices on middlemen rather than the removal of fuel subsidies.

“The plan is to build these markets in multiple locations across the state, connecting farmers directly to consumers. What we are doing here in Asero is just one of several, and it will be among the smallest. We aim to construct a much larger one,” Abiodun said.

The governor also revealed that his administration intends to replicate France’s largest Farmers’ Market within the state, with the major hub likely to be situated along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“I was in France a few weeks ago, and I saw one of the world’s largest Farmers’ Markets. Our intention is to replicate that in Ogun State,” he added.

Abiodun highlighted Ogun State’s commitment to supporting farmers, noting that it is the first state in Nigeria to implement a Farmers’ Management Information System—a database containing comprehensive details of farmers, their crops, production volumes, and contact information.

“This system allows us to track their needs and offer support in land preparation, pesticide provision, and fertilizer distribution,” he said.