Ekiti young farmers made over N200 million profit last year – Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has revealed that young farmers who participated in the state’s farming scheme made over N200 million last year from the sale of their produce.

The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving food security through aggressive infrastructure development that is capable of turning the state into an agricultural hub in the country.

Oyebanji stated this on Tuesday while playing host to the management team of Origin Tech Group, led by its Chief Executive, Prince Samuel Joseph.

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 realized 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 for the programme, adding that no fewer than 2,000 young farmers have shown interest in being part of the cluster farming this year.

Oyebanji said the state is working towards food surplus, empowerment for the youths, creation of economic opportunities for the 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 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 was that when we cleared land for them, we did tractorization and gave them seedlings.

Last year, in 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 farms.”

“My government will be deliberate in ensuring that we provide 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.

Samuel said his company is ready to partner with the state in its agriculture development drive through various initiatives of the company, including the introduction of middle-level cooperatives, prototype clusters, and sorting and logistics centres capable of generating resources for the state and the people, as well as assisting the state in achieving at least 40 percent equity with the company.

He added that a rewarding partnership with Ekiti state will serve as a point of reference for advancement in food security and infrastructure, leading to an epitome of commitment to sustainable development and economic growth in food production systems.