Food security: Ekiti to construct ultramodern dormitories in farm settlements

As part of efforts to boost food security, the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has announced that construction work on ultramodern dormitories at the farm settlements across the Local Government areas will commence within the next three weeks.

The governor also vowed to return the state to the farm settlement era experienced in the old Western Region under the leadership of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to promote agriculture and food security.

During a visit to young farmers in three cluster areas in the state, the governor disclosed this at Emure, Ikere, and Aramoko Farm Settlements yesterday.

He also mentioned that about 930 youths are participating in the youth agriculture scheme known as “Bring Back Youth into Agriculture,” a collaborative effort between the state government and a private entity, YSJ Farms.

Under this scheme, the government provides land to young farmers and assists them with land clearing, seedlings, and agricultural extension services. There is also an arrangement to purchase their products for storage purposes.

The Governor expressed his commitment to investing heavily in agriculture as a means of youth empowerment, ensuring food security, and driving industrialisation. He stressed that revamping the old farm settlement strategy of the late Chief Awolowo is crucial to keeping young farmers on the farms and maximising government support for the scheme.

The proposed dormitories for the young farmers will include facilities such as sitting rooms, kitchens, security posts, sick bays, and more, in the administration’s efforts to attract more young people to agribusiness and transform the state into a major agricultural hub.

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Oyebanji also assured that his administration would expedite action on other requests made by the young farmers, including motorable roads, enhanced security, and the provision of vehicles and motorcycles to aid mobility.

Addressing security concerns raised by the young farmers, the governor assured them of safety in all the clusters, noting that a comprehensive security cordon has been established around the locations and will be strengthened to eliminate all forms of criminality.

“The land we are returning to now was last cleared by Chief Awolowo during his time as Premier of the Western Region.

“This is the beginning of greater things to come in Ekiti State. The Western Region was renowned for agriculture under Chief Awolowo, and he developed the region without oil money, leading to food surpluses. With our youth initiatives, we are returning to the era of Awolowo’s farm settlements.

“In Ekiti State, only six local government chairmen have embraced this initiative. I urge the others to get involved. Within the next three weeks, dormitory construction will begin. With more youths showing interest in the scheme, there will be an opportunity for them to join the next phase once we acquire more land,” the governor added.

The Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, who accompanied Oyebanji to the Ikere Farm Settlement, remarked that it is self-indicting for any Yoruba man to complain of hunger.

The monarch expressed his surprise at seeing young men selling handkerchiefs and table water instead of working on the farm.

He praised the governor’s vision to invest in agriculture and pledged the support of his kingdom for the project, urging the youths of his town involved in the scheme to work diligently and justify their inclusion.