Ekiti state governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has disclosed that youth farmers who participated in the state’s farming program earned more than N200 million from selling their produce the previous year.
The governor also restated the administration’s resolve to increase food security by constructing a robust infrastructure that could make the state a national centre for agriculture.
On Tuesday, Oyebanji made this statement while hosting the Origin Tech Group management team headed by Prince Samuel Joseph, the company’s CEO.
He noted that the government has been able to turn agriculture into a veritable business venture through all its interventions in the sector.
Oyebanji said Ekiti State is ready to partner with the tech company for more enhanced development in the agriculture sector, adding that the N200 million realised by the young farmers during the last harvest season was from off-takers and big processing plants, as well as the state government, which bought the produce for storage.
He said the success recorded from the pioneering set in the agric programme has encouraged other young farmers to sign up, adding that no fewer than 2,000 young farmers have shown interest in cluster farming this year.
Oyebanji said the state is working towards food surplus, youth empowerment, economic opportunities for citizens through agribusiness, and utilising agriculture to drive industrialisation.
He added that the government’s policy of supporting the farmers with modified seedlings, land clearing, and tractorization has helped them increase their scope, while the assurance that whatever they grow would be bought has been a great encouragement for them.
He also promised to introduce middle-level market hubs that will serve as distribution points to ensure smooth and efficient food production, processing, and supply in the state.
“We have developed a template that has transitioned agriculture from farming to business. And as I speak today, there were 1,000 farmers that we got to farm in the six cluster farms in the state. It was a pilot programme, and the beauty of the project was that when we cleared land for them, we did tractorization and gave them seedlings.
Last year, in December, we gave them over N200 million for the sales of their produce while we also insisted that they commit a certain percentage of their profits back to their farms.”
“My government will be deliberate in ensuring that we provide the infrastructure that will support the hub, and we promise that we will engage in collaborations that will bring remarkable development to agriculture and how we can be a major player in the sector.”
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group, Mr. Joseph Samuel, commended Governor Oyebanji for his various efforts at developing the state, especially the agricultural sector, which, according to him, is a testament to the visionary leadership he has been providing for the state in particular and Nigeria at large.
Through several company initiatives, such as the establishment of middle-level cooperatives, prototype clusters, and sorting and logistics centres that can produce resources for the state and its citizens and help the state attain at least 40% equity with the company, Samuel stated that his company is prepared to collaborate with the state in its drive for agricultural development.
He went on to say that a fruitful collaboration with Ekiti state will act as a benchmark for improvements in infrastructure and food security, resulting in a prime example of dedication to sustainable development and economic expansion in food production systems.
Source: TheGuardian.ng
