Copyright tribuneonlineng
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has revived the Farm Settlements initiative in the state with the commissioning of three of the six Renewed Hope Farm Dormitories built for young farmers in different farm clusters. Oyebanji, who commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his initiative encouraging farming, vowed to tackle head-on those he described as unscrupulous and criminally minded individuals determined to sabotage his efforts and make farming difficult in the state. The governor spoke while commissioning the Farm Dormitory located at Eporo Ekiti in Emure Local Government Area to mark the third anniversary of his administration. He also commissioned similar projects built at Iyemero and Ikere Ekiti, aimed at increasing food production and reducing food prices in the state. Oyebanji, represented by his deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye, said that besides reviving the moribund farm settlements built by the administration of the Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, an additional 13 had been created to provide comfort for young farmers in their work areas. He described the Renewed Hope Farm Settlement as outstanding due to its integration of technology for agricultural planning and innovation to attract youth, as well as partnerships with firms to ensure that Ekiti contributes to food production and surplus that can guarantee food security in the country. He said that with the farm dormitory project, the rural economy could be stimulated, especially with modular irrigation provided to enable young farmers to work year-round and secure their future through financial gains that can support their families. “Today, the dormitories we are commissioning in Eporo, Emure, and Iyemero are built to provide convenient accommodation so that the youth farmers can enjoy the comfort of the city and remain focused on their work. “As of now, about 5,000 youths have been employed through this initiative. The rural economy has been stimulated, and our youths are now more than ready to go into farming. “We are not unaware of the activities of unscrupulous elements who want to sabotage our efforts. I assure you that I will work with security agencies to secure all the farm settlements so that you can work and live here without harassment or fear of being kidnapped.” The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, said the building at Eporo Ekiti can accommodate about 200 farmers and is equipped with solar-powered lighting and generating sets to ensure a steady supply of electricity and water for comfort. Boluwade added that the farm settlement has about 300 hectares of land allocated to young farmers, which has helped curb the menace of kidnapping and banditry that were once common in the area before the recent positive changes. To further strengthen farming and production, the Commissioner disclosed that an Agricultural Transformation Centre worth over ₦20 million, with modern facilities, would be established at the Emure-Eporo axis to further advance agricultural activities. The project will include poultry, a pet house, and other farming sectors that will add value to the state’s economy. He appealed to young farmers to make good use of the opportunity provided by the state government, saying that achieving food security remains a top priority for the current administration. Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of YSJ Farms, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Joluwe, revealed that the young farmers under the firm’s guidance had made a profit margin of ₦800 million between 2024 and now, with plans to increase it to ₦1 billion before the end of the 2025 farming season. Joluwe praised Governor Oyebanji for being visionary and steadfast in pursuing his goal of encouraging commercial farming and promoting youth employment in the state. Highlighting the firm’s achievements, Mrs. Joluwe stated that the company made a profit of ₦138 million in 2024 while operating in just three local government areas. She added that profits have now risen to ₦800 million following expansion to 13 local governments, with a target of ₦1 billion before the end of 2025. She said commercial farming, facilitated by the state government in partnership with the firm, has revolutionized food production in Ekiti State and is the reason the state is now rated as having the lowest food inflation rate in the country by the National Bureau of Statistics. “Today’s occasion is more than just the commissioning of a building; it is a celebration of vision, leadership, and partnership — the kind that transforms communities, empowers young people, and builds a better tomorrow. “Last year, we recorded a profit of ₦138 million while operating in just four local government areas. As of today, we have expanded to thirteen local governments and surpassed ₦800 million. “We are confident that before the end of this year, we will exceed ₦1 billion in profit. While we commend ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture, we must not overlook some of the challenges faced by our young farmers.” To consolidate these gains, the YSJ Managing Director noted that incidents of insecurity have made some young farmers hesitant to return to their farms. She appealed to Governor Oyebanji to swiftly address these concerns so that the youth farmers can continue their work with confidence, safety, and pride. The Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba James Babatunde Ajiboye, commended the government for its innovative measures to boost agriculture in the state, describing them as a masterstroke that would revamp the sector. “All of you should go and get your voter cards. We will deliver votes in Emure Ekiti that will surpass anything seen since 1999 and shake other local governments. “We are grateful that you have restored orderliness here. Nobody could come to this area before because of the fear of kidnappers. You have succeeded in turning a danger zone into a zone of success.” The representative of the youth farmers, Mr. Olanrewaju Saliu, praised the governor for his fairness to the Eporo-Emure axis through cluster farming, the provision of a health centre, and the renovation of schools, saying these efforts will be reciprocated in the next election. Saliu particularly commended the governor for ensuring security by establishing a military post close to the dormitory and farming sites, noting that this will transform the state’s agricultural landscape and make Ekiti the food basket of Nigeria.
