Food Security: Ekiti sets up storage facilities for bumper harvest

The Ekiti State Government has set up storage facilities in different parts of the state with the sole aim of buying farm produce from farmers during harvest season and storing them for release during periods of scarcity.

According to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the aim is to address food shortage, reduce post-harvest losses and ensure food sufficiency all year round across the state.

Addressing newsmen during a visit to one of the facilities, Oyebanji said the building will avert the food scarcity that was experienced in the state last year and also regulate prices of food items in the eventuality of food scarcity.

He said the initiative was in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu to the state governors to prioritise food security as a critical step in combating hunger across the country.

He explained that the state cultivated over 6,000 hectares of farmland in 2024, adding that the warehouse for storing food crops was a major challenge, hence the decision of his administration to provide storage facilities this year.

Further speaking, he expressed delight that a large chunk of the farm produce was bought from young farmers under the Bring Back Youth in Agriculture programme.

The governor was accompanied on the inspection by his Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo; Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade; and the Commissioner for Trade, investment and cooperatives, Mrs Tayo Adeola.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security said the goal of the initiative is not only to tackle hunger but to also create opportunities for youth in agriculture.

While explaining that the initiative would ensure a steady food supply throughout the year, Boluwade said government would encourage farmers, particularly the youths in agriculture to increase production, knowing that their produce would not go to waste and government is willing and ready to buy from them.