To advance Ekiti State toward sustainable food security and encourage young people to take up farming, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has initiated the building of hostels in every agricultural settlement within the state.
Oyebanji mentioned that this policy aims to transform the state into the food capital of the country, while simultaneously providing job opportunities for the significant number of young people. These youths were previously inclined towards viewing agriculture as an unprofitable endeavor.
During his address in Eporo Ekiti, within the Emure Local Government Area, on Thursday, while initiating the groundwork for the Renewed Hope Dormitory, Governor Oyebanji mentioned that this initiative aims to control the skyrocketing costs of goods in various markets once implemented across them.
The governor, represented by his deputy Chief Monisade Afuye, stated that the dormitories will be equipped with contemporary fixtures and essential facilities allowing young farmers to live entirely at the farming sites. He highlighted that food production serves as the cornerstone for economic growth.
He told the young farmers working within the state that this initiative will be extended to other regions identified as farm settlements—including Oke Ako, Eporo, Aramomo, and Ikere—where collective farming practices are already taking place.
The Governor of Ekiti State showed joy regarding the rising levels of food production within the region following the launch of the cluster farming program. This initiative has successfully encouraged around a thousand young individuals to become involved in agricultural activities.
News from Ekiti: The old students' association has initiated a board of trustees for Oyebanji. He merits all the praise coming his way —Oyebanji says Tinubu's policies are key to their successes.Excitedly, Oyebanji declared that young farmers generated more than N200 million in revenue during the previous farming season, thus elevating Ekiti’s economy to a sustainable level.
As he stated, "The initiative we are launching today (Thursday) marks the transformation of an idea into tangible form; it embodies our shared aspirations, our pledge to move forward, and our resolve to construct a brighter tomorrow for future generations."
“A project of this scale reflects the power of unity and shared ambition. It is a testament to what can be achieved when vision meets action. With this first step, we embark on a journey that will leave a lasting impact, fostering growth and development.
As we progress toward achieving our goals for food security, let’s stay committed and motivate our fellow citizens, especially the younger generation, to view agriculture as both an honorable and lucrative career.
Adopting this perspective, our economy will benefit from increased agricultural output, higher incomes, and more job creation, which together will lower the poverty rate within our country.
Previously, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, characterized the program as a transformative policy within local-level food production efforts aimed at reviving enthusiasm for agriculture.
Boluwade praised Governor Oyebanji for his foresight in the agricultural field, promising that every policy aimed at ensuring the state becomes self-sufficient in food production will be implemented with great enthusiasm to improve the community's well-being.
“The idea of having dormitories in all our farm settlements is to make farming more attractive to our youths. It is also a signal that the current administration is ready to make Ekiti achieve the targeted food security status,” he said.
Mrs. Oluwayemisi Joluwe, who leads the Renewed Hope Dormitories in Farm Settlements project, disclosed that Ekiti State is serving as a test ground for this initiative. This underscores the strong collaborative ties between the state government and the federal administration.
Joluwe further mentioned that the cluster farming project has enhanced Ekiti’s value by reducing abductions, as regions notorious for kidnapping are being transformed into agricultural communities.
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