Ekiti Govt Moves to End Dry-Season Tomato, Pepper Scarcity.

Ekiti Govt Moves to End Dry-Season Tomato, Pepper Scarcity.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

In a strategic move to tackle the annual scarcity of tomatoes and peppers between April and June, the Ekiti State Government has launched the "Operation Optimization of the Drought Season for Horticultural Production" initiative.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, disclosed that the state is partnering with East-West Seeds Ltd to provide farmers with improved tomato, pepper, and cucumber seeds. The selected varieties include Platinum 701 F1 (tomato), Piquante Red F1 (pepper), and Daewy F1 (cucumber)—all known for their resilience and high yield.

According to Boluwade, the initiative will kick off with youth farmers in Erinfun, as well as farm clusters in Erio and Awo that have access to water. Farmers operating under PostAgvest and other independent farmers who express interest will also be supported.

A key highlight of the intervention is the focus on seedlings distribution rather than raw seeds. The Commissioner emphasized that distributing ready-to-plant seedlings is more impactful, as it ensures higher germination rates and better productivity. To facilitate this, East-West Seeds Ltd and PostAgvest will train farmers on how to raise healthy seedlings, which will then be distributed for planting.

Beyond seedling supply, farmers will receive on-field training and coaching to boost productivity. To ensure market access, Ilu Eye Agro Trading and Aggregation Company is set to streamline the produce distribution across the state, ensuring that the benefits of this government-driven agricultural support reach the people of Ekiti.

Boluwade commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his unwavering support for agriculture, noting that the initiative aligns with the administration’s six-pillar development agenda aimed at fostering shared prosperity in Ekiti.

“This initiative will significantly enhance food availability in the state. The support of HE Governor Oyebanji continues to empower our farmers, strengthen the agricultural value chain, and ensure food security for all,” he stated.