From job seekers to agripreneurs: Ekiti youth turning abandoned farmland into wealth
Biodun-Oyebanji.
Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado-Ekiti
After many years of neglect and rural drift, a new generation of young people in Ekiti State is returning to the farm with renewed passion. Through a partnership between the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration and the YSJ Farms, agriculture is once again becoming a pathway to prosperity. Rasaq Ibrahim in this piece chronicles how youths in the state are turning barren lands into thriving agribusiness hubs.
For decades, agriculture in Ekiti State suffered utter neglect, losing its pride of place. What was once a thriving sector that sustained families, communities, and state’s economy, gradually slipped into abandonment. The green fields that defined Ekiti’s identity as part of the old Western Region’s agricultural belt began to fade, replaced by overgrown bushes and deserted farmlands.
In the golden years, farming was not just an occupation but also a symbol of dignity and self-reliance. Every household had a farm, and the produce from Ekiti’s rich soil was enough to feed the state and supply neighbouring regions. But as the decades rolled by, government attention shifted away from the agriculture, and policies that once supported smallholder farmers disappeared.
The ripple effect was devastating. The famous farm settlements established by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo during his administration in the Western Region became relics of a glorious past. Their dormitories crumbled, tractors rusted away and the storage facilities fell apart under years of neglect.
The thriving agricultural cooperatives that powered rural economies became shadows of themselves, the vibrancy of rural life ebbed away and youths drawn by the illusion of better opportunities in urban centres, fled the villages in droves.
Consequently, the prices of foods soared, food production plummeted and the cost of living spiked. Ekiti, once self-sufficient in staple crops like yam, rice, cassava and maize became dependent on supplies from other states. The rural economy shrank, while state’s economic strength weakened, relying on federal allocations for survival.
But, the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration in partnership with YSJ Farms, an agricultural firm, is changing the hitherto narrative by returning pride to farming and profit to harvest through a youth-driven initiative.
Across the rolling hills and fertile plains of Ekiti, farmlands once abandoned are now alive with activity. Youths, especially, young graduates, many of them former job seekers, are back in the fields tilling, planting, harvesting, and building new narratives of prosperity.
From Ikere to Iyemero, Eporo to Emure, the quiet hum of tractors and ploughs, as well as the sight of green rows of maize, cassava and rice are telling a new story. It is the story of rebirth, driven, not by seasoned farmers, but by graduates and entrepreneurs who have rediscovered hope in the soil.
Through its partnership with the Ekiti State government, YSJ Farms Limited, has successfully transformed agriculture into a well-structured, technology-driven sector that appeals to the youths once disinterested in farm work.
The agribusiness firm has introduced smart irrigation systems, drone-assisted crop monitoring, and modular training schemes that expose young farmers to precision farming, agro-processing, and value-chain management. Young people who once considered agriculture a last resort now see it as a business venture with real profit potential.
The training programmes have equipped hundreds of youths with agribusiness skills starting from land preparation to post-harvest processing. The company provides technical guidance, seeds, fertilisers, and access to markets, while the state government supports them with land clearing, credit facilities, and rural infrastructure.
This synergy between the government and the YSJ Farms Limited has sparked what many describe as green revolution in Ekiti’s food production. Agriculture is now witnessing renewed lease of life as policies, technical expertise, and youth enthusiasm converge to transform farm lands into epicentres of innovation and enterprise.
For the participating youths, farming is no longer a fallback option or a sign of economic frustration. Through practical training, mechanised tools, access to credit, and guaranteed markets, farming has become a viable profession. Many of the beneficiaries, most of whom are graduates, now see the farm, not as a place of drudgery but as a business hub. Their success stories are reshaping the public perception, inspiring more young people to return to the soil.
YSJ’s activities being propelled by young farmers have significantly broadened Ekiti’s industrial base and redefined its agricultural landscape. Until recently, the state had few agro-based industries, and most agricultural products were sold raw, with little or no value addition.
However, under Governor Oyebanji, the partnership with YSJ Farms has started changing that narrative. With farmlands spread across 13 council areas, YSJ now supplies produce such as cassava, rice, yam, and maize to cottage industries in Ekiti and neighbouring states.
The firm also processes and packages local products, including the famous Igbemo (Ofada) Rice, which it de-stones and brands for commercial sale. This development has attracted off-takers from Lagos, Ondo, Osun, and Kwara States, who now source raw materials directly from Ekiti, paying taxes into the state’s coffers and boosting internally generated revenue.
Food security has become a cornerstone of the Governor Oyebanji administration’s strategic development plan, and YSJ’s role in achieving this goal cannot be overstated. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Ekiti currently records the lowest food inflation rate in Nigeria, a remarkable feat attributed to the surge in large-scale food production driven by the YSJ partnership.
Beyond ensuring food sufficiency, the partnership is also transforming social and economic fabric of Ekiti State. Under the initiative, over 1,000 young farmers have been fully engaged in commercial agriculture, creating thousands of both direct and indirect jobs across the rural communities.
To sustain this transformation, the Oyebanji-led administration has revived the Farm Settlements Initiative by commissioning three ultramodern dormitories under the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Farm Dormitory Scheme. The dormitories are located in Eporo, Iyemero, and Ikere.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, said the initiative was aimed at increasing food production and stabilising food prices while giving comfort to youth farmers working in remote areas.
Beyond reviving the moribund three farm settlements established by Awolowo, Oyebanji disclosed that another 13 farm clusters had been created across the state to accommodate young farmers.
He described the Renewed Hope farm settlements as a model of innovation, integrating technology, smart irrigation system and youth-friendly infrastructure to make farming more attractive and profitable.
He said with this project, rural economy would 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 modern 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”, he added.
Oyebanji vowed to work closely with security agencies to protect the young farmers from attacks by “unscrupulous elements” trying to sabotage his food production drive. “I am assuring you that we will secure all farm settlements so that you can work and live here without fear or harassment,” he promised.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the YSJ Farms, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Joluwe, disclosed that youth farmers under the firm’s guidance had recorded combined profit of N800m between 2024 and now with projections to hit N1bn by the end of 2025.
Joluwe, who praised Governor Oyebanji for his administration’s commitment to encouraging commercial farming, noted that YSJ Farm started in only three local governments with N138million profit in 2024 and has now expanded operations to 13 local governments.
She stated that the initiative has radically transformed food production in Ekiti and contributed significantly to the state’s low food inflation rate, as confirmed by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
“Today’s occasion is more than just the commissioning of a building; it is a celebration of vision, leadership, and partnership that transform communities, empower young people, and build a better tomorrow.
“Last year, we recorded a profit of N138 million operating in three council areas. As of today, we have expanded to 13 local governments and surpassed N800 million.
“We are confident that before the end of this year, we will close above N1billion 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”.
Mrs. Joluwe, however, appealed to the government to strengthen security around farms, noting that isolated cases of insecurity had made some young farmers hesitant to return to the fields.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, explained that the Eporo dormitory can accommodate 200 farmers, powered by solar lights and generators for comfort.
He added that the settlement covers 300 hectares of farmland, a move that has curbed kidnapping and banditry that once plagued the area.
Boluwade revealed that a N20million Agric Transformation Centre would soon be established in the Emure–Eporo axis, with poultry, pet houses, and processing facilities to further industrialise agriculture in Ekiti.
The Elemure of Emure-Ekiti, Oba James Ajiboye, commended the government for the innovative actions being deployed to boost agriculture in the state, describing it 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”, he added.
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, stating that this will change the face of farming in the state and turn Ekiti into a food basket of Nigeria.
The Director-General/Special Adviser, Ekiti State Office of Transformation and Service, Dr. John Moyo Ekundayo said the Governor Oyebanji administration’s agricultural revival was not a fluke but a product of policy consistency, strategic planning and youth empowerment.
According to him, the state government’s partnership with YSJ Farms forms part of a broader vision to diversify Ekiti’s economy, reduce dependency on federal allocation, as well as make agriculture a sustainable driver of growth.
He explained that the government’s approach integrates innovation, security, and inclusiveness ensuring that young farmers are not only trained but also supported with infrastructure, finance, and technology.
He noted that the revival of the Awolowo-era farm settlements and construction of new dormitories have restored life to rural areas and strengthened the state’s food security architecture.
He emphasised that the partnership with private firms such as YSJ Farms demonstrates the administration’s belief in public-private collaboration as the most effective way to achieve rapid agricultural transformation.
“YSJ has shown that when the private sector and government work in synergy, results are faster, more sustainable, and more impactful on people’s lives,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s resolve, the Director-General stated that the Office of Transformation and Service will continue to monitor and evaluate the initiative’s performance to ensure transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
He urged more youths to take advantage of the opportunity, assuring them that the Oyebanji administration remains committed to providing security, access to markets, and an enabling environment for agribusiness to thrive.
