Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring food security by collaborating with agribusiness investors and empowering young farmers.
Governor Oyebanji revealed that the state’s 2025 budget would prioritise agriculture, to significantly increase food production to feed the people of Ekiti State.
Speaking during an inspection of the “Bring Youth Back into Agriculture Project” farms in Oke Ako, Iyemero, and Gede in the North Senatorial District on Saturday, Governor Oyebanji, who was accompanied by top government officials, disclosed that his administration is focused on making Ekiti the food basket of the country. He emphasised that the state’s deliberate investment in agriculture has started yielding positive results, adding that his government has prioritised enhancing the capacity of farmers and creating markets for their produce to boost food production and tackle food insecurity.
Governor Oyebanji also noted that the state had improved its agricultural policies and ensured the necessary infrastructure to drive the state’s agricultural development plans. He added that scaling up food production and making Ekiti self-reliant were key goals of his administration.
“The 2025 budget will focus on agriculture and food security, alongside the welfare of our citizens. Over the past two years, we have made significant progress in infrastructure, and now, it is time to prioritise feeding our people. We will also de-risk the agricultural value chain by improving security, providing electricity, and rehabilitating roads to farms,” the Governor said.
Reflecting on the success of the “Bring Youth Back into Agriculture” initiative, Governor Oyebanji expressed his excitement at the outcome, noting that Ekiti youths are hardworking and productive. He praised the youths’ involvement in the project and reiterated the government’s commitment to providing the necessary platforms to unlock their potential.
At Oke Ako, Governor Oyebanji commended the youth for their dedication to the success of the project and announced plans to rehabilitate the road from Ayedun to Oke Ako and provide electricity to the town. He also assured farmers that compensation for acquired land would be disbursed within two weeks. In Iyemero and Gede, he appreciated the communities for their support and promised that road infrastructure would be prioritised to facilitate the movement of produce.
Governor Oyebanji further emphasised the need for irrigation systems and additional support for the farmers, including providing raincoats, boots, and vehicles to ease access to the farms. He highlighted the role of President Tinubu in supporting Ekiti’s agricultural development, noting that the resources for these initiatives were made possible through federal support. He assured that his administration would continue to provide economic opportunities for youths in Ekiti and position them to become employers of labour.
The youths at the farm sites expressed their gratitude to the government and requested further assistance, including buses, agricultural loans, farm inputs, and accommodation for the farmsteads.
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