The Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to agricultural transformation and youth empowerment with fresh investments under the Bring Back Our Youths to Agriculture (BBYA) programme.
In a major boost to the initiative, the State Government recently approved ₦1.5 billion for land clearing and ₦1.1 billion for the construction of warehouses across five locations in the state to strengthen agricultural productivity.
The State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, who made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, explained that the initiative is aimed at boosting agricultural infrastructure, improving storage capacity, and reducing post-harvest losses across value chains, alongside broader achievements recorded under the administration of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
He added that the interventions reflect the administration’s readiness to build on the successes recorded under the programme and to expand existing agricultural infrastructure in order to boost food production and minimize post-harvest losses.
According to him, the present administration is determined to consolidate on the gains already achieved under the BBYA programme and further position agriculture as a key driver of the state’s economy.
“The Oyebanji administration remains intentional about using agriculture as a tool for wealth creation, food security, and youth employment. The State is strengthening partnerships and providing a conducive environment, supported by infrastructure, to sustain long-term growth in the sector,” he said.
Olatunbosun explained that the controversy and misunderstanding involving some participating youths and the private partner, YSJ Farms Ltd, during the last harvest has now been addressed and resolved amicably, emphasizing that the State Government remains fully committed to the partnership and has strengthened the programme to achieve improved results going forward.
He further stressed that despite the security breach recorded in October last year, the State remains one of the safest subnational entities in the country, adding that the government will neither negotiate with criminals nor pay ransom to kidnappers, while continuing to strengthen its security architecture to address emerging threats.
He noted that the targets of the BBYA programme include empowering young people, boosting food production, and strengthening the state’s agricultural value chain.
“Key objectives include increasing youth participation in farming by creating attractive and profitable opportunities, reducing unemployment through agribusiness engagement, and enhancing food security across the state.
“The programme also aims to improve agricultural productivity by providing access to modern farming techniques, inputs, and mechanization, while fostering partnerships with private sector players to ensure sustainability. It also seeks to promote value addition, expand market access for farm produce, and position agriculture as a viable and competitive career path for youths in Ekiti State.”
Olatunbosun noted that agriculture has remained a central pillar of the Oyebanji administration’s development agenda since inception, with a clear focus on transforming farming from a subsistence activity into a structured agribusiness sector.
He listed key interventions in the sector to include large-scale land development, with over 6,000 hectares of farmland cleared for farmers and cooperatives; a 50 percent subsidy on tractorization to ease land preparation and boost mechanized farming; and the establishment of about 100 farm clusters and 13 dedicated farm hubs to support cooperative farming and youth participation, among others.