Oyebanji Boosts Ekiti Agriculture with Over N4bn Land Clearing, Rome-Ploughing for Farmers.

Oyebanji Boosts Ekiti Agriculture with Over N4bn Land Clearing, Rome-Ploughing for Farmers.

By Olamide Akinwumi 

In a major step towards strengthening food security and attracting agro-investors, the Ekiti State Government, under the leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has invested over N4 billion in land clearing and Rome-ploughing across the state’s 16 Local Government Areas.

The initiative, which forms a key part of the administration’s agricultural transformation agenda, is aimed at making large expanses of land readily available for immediate cultivation by farmers and agro-investors.

According to figures released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, a total of 4,752 hectares of land have been cleared across the state. A breakdown shows that Ikole LGA recorded the highest with 1,366 hectares, followed by Oye (680 hectares), Emure (630 hectares), and Ikere (400 hectares). Others include Ekiti West (370 hectares), Ado (306 hectares), Ekiti South West (170 hectares), Ijero (150 hectares), Ido Osi (140 hectares), Ekiti East (130 hectares), Gbonyin (125 hectares), Ise Orun (110 hectares), Ilejemeje (100 hectares), Efon (95 hectares), Irepodun/Ifelodun (70 hectares), and Moba (10 hectares).

The intervention covers free land clearing, free Rome-ploughing, and free land packing, all fully funded by the state government to reduce startup costs and enhance agricultural productivity.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Boluwade Ebenezer, described the programme as a “landmark investment in Ekiti’s agricultural future,” noting that it would transform the sector and improve the livelihoods of thousands of farmers across the state.

“This bold step by Governor Oyebanji is a testament to his unwavering commitment to agricultural development and food security. By removing the financial burden of land preparation, we are giving our farmers and agro-investors a strong head start. This initiative will expand access to farmland, increase food production, and create thousands of jobs for our youths,” Hon. Boluwade said.

He further emphasized that the intervention would stimulate agribusiness investments, reduce rural-urban migration, and position Ekiti as a major food production hub in Nigeria.

“With more land now available for cultivation and proper mechanized preparation in place, we expect a sharp rise in both commercial and smallholder farming activities. This will not only boost food availability but also strengthen the entire agricultural value chain,” he added.

Governor Oyebanji, who has consistently identified agriculture as a cornerstone of his administration’s economic development plan, reaffirmed his resolve to make Ekiti a leading state in modern, technology-driven agriculture.

“With this intervention, we are empowering our farmers, boosting food production, and laying a sustainable foundation for agribusiness investment in Ekiti,” the Governor said.

Highlighting the broader implications of the initiative, Hon. Boluwade Ebenezer noted that the intervention goes beyond immediate economic benefits. According to him, it will increase accessibility to farmland, reduce startup costs for farmers, boost food security, and create sustainable employment opportunities for Ekiti youths. He added that the policy demonstrates Governor Oyebanji’s vision of building a self-reliant agricultural economy capable of feeding the state and contributing to national food sufficiency.

Supporting this view, agricultural experts lauded the state government’s foresight, describing the initiative as one that would “reshape Ekiti’s agricultural landscape.” They noted that the provision of cleared, ploughed, and packed land would not only encourage youth participation in agriculture but also attract large-scale investors seeking ready-to-cultivate farmlands.

They maintained that if sustained, the programme could turn Ekiti into a major food production hub, reduce food importation from other regions, and enhance the state’s overall economic resilience.