Ekiti Opens Doors to Agricultural Buyback Program, BAO Inspects Progress.

Ekiti Opens Doors to Agricultural Buyback Program, BAO Inspects Progress.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

The Ekiti State government has taken a significant step toward revolutionizing agriculture with the activation of the Ilu Eye Agro Trading and Aggregation Company Ltd. The initiative, which kicked off a week ago, focuses on offtaking and buying back agricultural produce directly from farm clusters and steads, providing a stable and structured market for farmers.

In a bid to assess progress, Governor Biodun Oyebanji visited the company’s warehouse complex yesterday evening. The visit was to inspect ongoing renovations of the facility, which began in late December, and review the arrangements for aggregation carried out throughout the festive period.

Governor Oyebanji, while commending the initiative, emphasized its role as a game-changer in boosting agricultural productivity and supply across the state. He noted that agriculture is a market-driven enterprise and highlighted the government's focus on optimizing every link in the agricultural value chain.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Boluwade Ebenezer, expressed confidence in the initiative, describing it as a critical pillar of the state’s agricultural policy. “The establishment of the Ilu Eye Agro Trading and Aggregation Company ensures that our farmers not only produce but have a ready market for their goods. This is a transformative project that aligns with the governor’s vision for food security and economic prosperity,” Mr. Boluwade Ebenezer stated.

Key among the innovations being rolled out is the introduction of modular irrigation solutions for newly created farm clusters. This move, supported by the establishment of the Aggregation Company, is designed to reassure financial institutions, ensuring that farmers have access to credit facilities with reliable repayment structures.

“This initiative demonstrates that agriculture is not just a way of life but a viable business. With Ilu Eye Agro Trading and Aggregation Company, we have laid a solid foundation for sustainable agricultural development in Ekiti,” Governor Oyebanji said.

Governor Oyebanji also expressed optimism that initiatives like this would eradicate food insecurity in the state. “The ‘E bi n pa wa’ (We are hungry) song will no longer be heard in Ekiti,” he affirmed.

The Ilu Eye Agro Trading and Aggregation Company is set to catalyze agricultural growth by providing farmers with market access, improved infrastructure, and financial backing, marking a bold step in Ekiti’s journey toward agricultural excellence.