Ekiti Young Farmers made over N200m profit last year - Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has disclosed that young farmers participating in the state’s farming scheme generated over N200 million last year from the sale of their produce.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing food security through aggressive infrastructure development aimed at positioning the state as an agricultural hub in the country.

The Governor made this known on Tuesday while receiving the management team of Origin Tech Group, led by its Chief Executive, Prince Samuel Joseph. He stated that his government has successfully transformed agriculture into a profitable business venture through various interventions in the sector.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, made available to journalists on Wednesday, Oyebanji expressed the state’s readiness to collaborate with the tech company to further develop the agriculture sector.

He explained that the N200 million earned by the young farmers during the last harvest season was generated from sales to off-takers, large-scale processing plants, and the state government, which purchased produce for storage.

He highlighted that the success recorded by the pioneering set of farmers has encouraged others to join the programme, with no fewer than 2,000 young farmers indicating interest in being part of the cluster farming initiative this year.

He emphasised that the state is working towards achieving food surplus, empowering youths, creating economic opportunities through agribusiness, and leveraging agriculture to drive industrialisation.

He further stated that the government’s policy of supporting farmers with modified seedlings, land clearing, and tractorisation has enabled them to expand their farming operations.

He added that the assurance of a ready market for their produce has served as a significant motivation.

“We have developed a template that has transited agric from mere 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 is when we cleared land for them, we did tractorisation, gave them seedlings. Last year December, we gave over N200 million to them for the sales of their produce while we also insisted that they commit a certain percentage of their profits back to their farm.”

The Governor also promised to introduce middle-level market hubs that will serve as distribution points to facilitate efficient food production, processing, and supply within the state.

He assured that his administration is committed to providing infrastructure that supports the agricultural sector while fostering partnerships that will drive its growth.

The Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group, Joseph Samuel, commended Governor Oyebanji for his efforts in developing the state, particularly the agricultural sector, describing it as a reflection of the visionary leadership he has provided for Ekiti and Nigeria at large.

He expressed the company’s readiness to collaborate with the state government on its agricultural development drive through initiatives such as middle-level cooperatives, prototype clusters, and sorting and logistics centres that would generate resources for the state and its people and as well as well as assist the state achieve at least 40percent equity with the company.

He added that a strategic partnership with Ekiti State would serve as a model for food security advancement and infrastructure development, leading to an epitome of commitment to sustainable development and economic growth in food production systems.