𝐎𝐲𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐢 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬.
....commends Tinubu's Renewed Hope Farm dormitory Initiative.
The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has revived Farm Settlements initiative in the State by commissioning three farm dormitories under Renewed Hope initiative, promising to put machinery in full motion to halt the activities of marauding criminals who were trying to undermine his food production policy.
Oyebanji, who saluted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his initiative that encourages farming, promised to tackle headon, those he described as unscrupulous elements and criminally minded individuals, who were determined to sabotage his efforts and make farming difficult in the state .
The governor spoke while commissioning the Farm Dormitory located at Eporo Ekiti, Emure Local Government Area, on Wednesday, to mark the third anniversary of his administration.
The governor also commissioned the ones built at Iyemero and Ikere Ekiti, targeted at increasing food production and bring a slump to the level of food prices in the state.
Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said besides reviving the moribund farm settlements built by the administration of the Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, that another 13 had been created to give comfort to the youth farmers in their farming areas.
He described the Renewed Hope farm settlement as being outstanding on the strength of involving technology for agricultural planning and innovation to attract youth as well as partnership with firms to ensure that Ekiti contributes to food production and food surplus that can guarantee security in the country.
He said with this project, the rural economy can be stimulated, especially with modular irrigation provided to make all the youth farmers to work round the year 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 abode, so that the youth farmers can enjoy the comfort of the city and they won't be distracted from their main focus.
"As of now, about 5,000 youths have been employed through this initiative. The rural economy has been stimulated while our youths are now more than ready to go into farming.
"We are not unaware of the activities of the unscrupulous elements who wanted to sabotage our efforts. I am assuring you that I will work with security agencies to secure all the farm settlements, so that you can work and live here without any harassment or fear if being kidnapped".
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, said the building at Eporo Ekiti can take about 200 farmers and have facilities like solar power lights and generating sets to ensure regular supply of light that can offer the required comfort.
Boluwade was elated that the farm settlement has about 300 hectares of land apportioned to the youth farmers, which has helped to tame the menace of kidnapping and banditry that were common in the axis before the positive change of events.
To further strengthen farming and production, the Commissioner added that Agric Transformation Centre worth over N20 million, with modern facilities, will be sited at Emure-Eporo axis to further radicalised agriculture, saying the project will contain poultry, pet house and other farming sectors that will add value to the state.
He appealed to the youth farmers to make good use of the opportunity provided by the state government, saying Ekiti rising to food security status remains the focus of the current government.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the YSJ Farms , Mrs. Oluwayemisi Joluwe, revealed that the youth farmers being guided by the firm made a profit margin of N800 million between 2024 and now, saying efforts are on to increase to a sum.of N1 billion before the end of the 2025 farming season.
The Managing Director, praised Governor Oyebanji for being visionary and steadfast in pursing his vision to make encourage commercial farming and as well promote youth employment in the state.
About the exploits the firm has made within a shorty period, Mrs Joluwe stated that the company makes a profit of N138 million in 2024 while operating in just three local governments.
She revealed that the profit margin has been lifted to a staggering sum of N800 million with the operation now expanded to 13 local governments, with a target to increase the profile to a sum of one billion Naira before the end of 2025.
Mrs Joluwe said commercial farming midwifed by the state government in partnership with the firm has radicalised food production in Ekiti State and responsible for why Ekiti State us now rated as having the least food inflation 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 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 close above ₦1 billion in profit.While we commend the ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture, we must not overlook some of the challenges faced by our young farmers".
To consolidate the gains further, the YSJ Managing Director, said incidences of insecurity have made youth farmers hesitant to return to their farms, appealing to Governor Oyebanji to swiftly address these concerns, so that the youth farmers can continue their noble work with confidence, safety, and pride.
The Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba James Babatunde Ajiboye, commended the government for the innovative actions being deployed to boost agriculture in the state, describing this as a masterstroke that will revamp the sector in the state.
"All of you should go and get your voter cards. We will return votes that had never been witnessed in Emure Ekiti since 1999 that will shake other local governments. We are grateful that you have restored orderliness here. Nobody can come to this axis before because of the fear of kidnappers. You have succeeded in turning a dangerous zone to a zone of success".
The representative of the youth farmers, Mr. Olanrewaju Saliu, revealed that the governor has been fair to Eporo-Emure axis through cluster farming, health centre and school renovation, saying all these shall be reciprocated in the next election.
Saliu particularly praised the governor for ensuring security, by siting a Military post close to the dormitory and farming sites, sating this will change the face of farming in the state and turn Ekiti into a food basket of Nigeria
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