…Warns youths against having ill-feelings about farming
As part of concerted efforts to transform Ekiti State into a hub for massive food production and making farming attractive to the youth, Ekiti State Governor ,Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has flagged off the construction of dormitories in all the farm settlements in the state.
Oyebanji, who spoke in Eporo Ekiti, on Thursday, while laying the foundation stone for the construction of the Renewed Hope Dormitory for young farmers said the project
and other recent investments of his administration in the sector will make the state the food basket of the nation as well as generate employment for the myriad of youth population, who had before now held the conservative view that farming was a non-lucrative venture.
He noted that Government’s efforts will greatly help in checking the astronomic increase in the prices of food items, when the products are available in all markets.
The governor, who spoke at the event through his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye , disclosed that the dormitories will be fitted with modern accessories and basic amenities that will make the young farmers to be fully residential inside the farms, saying food production is the pivot on which the economy thrives.
He assured the youth farmers operating in the state that the project will be replicated in other designated Farm Settlements at Oke Ako, Eporo, Aramoko and Ikere communities, where cluster farming is being undertaken.
The Ekiti number one citizen, was enthralled with the spiralling level of food production being enjoyed in the state, since the commencement of cluster farming initiative, which facilitated productive engagement of about a thousand of youth in farming.
Oyebanji announced that in spite of the inclement weather witnessed during the last farming season,youth farmers made over N200 million income thereby propelling Ekiti’s economy to a sustainable pedestal.
“The project we are beginning today represents a vision turning into reality, it represents our collective dreams, our commitment to progress, and our dedication to building a better future generations to come.
“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 move forward in our zeal to achieve food security status, let us remain focused and encourage our citizens, particularly the youth, to always perceive farming as a noble and profitable vocation.
“With this mindset, our economy will improve through adequate food production, income earnings and employment generation that will reduce poverty index in our land”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, described the programme as a game changing policy in the food production initiative at the sub national level that will reignite interest of people of productive age in farming.
Boluwade applauded Governor Oyebanji for his vision in the agriculture sector, assuring that all the policies geared toward making the state abundant in food production shall be executed zealously to transform the lives of the people.
“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”.
The Project Coordinator, Renewed Hope Dormitories in Farm Settlements, Mrs Oluwayemisi Joluwe, revealed that Ekiti was being used as a pilot state for the initiative, signposting the robust working relationship between the state and the federal government.
Joluwe added that the cluster farming initiative had added more value to Ekiti by helping in stemming the tide of abduction since areas considered unproductive Bush and forests which hitherto were hideouts for kidnappers and criminal elements have been converted into farm settlements.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Babatope Ojo commended Governor Oyebanji for his foresight towards Youth empowerment and Food Security in the State.
He pledged the commitment of Officers of the Ministry to the success of the ongoing Reforms in the State’s Agricultural Sector
aimed at tackling food scarcity and youth unemployment in the State.
