BY OLUWARAISE-ME-UP
The Ekiti State Government has disbursed a whopping sum of ₦1 billion to 5,000 young farmers under Bring Back the Youth into Agriculture programme, targeting an annual agricultural turnover of ₦50 billion by 2030.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji presented cheques to beneficiaries in Ado-Ekiti, describing the initiative as a shift from subsistence farming to sustainable, large-scale agribusiness through public-private partnership with YSJ Farms.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Niyi Adebayo, the governor said the programme, which started in 2024 with 911 youths and ₦145 million in profits, has expanded to over 5,000 participants in 2025, recording a 700 per cent growth to ₦1 billion in profits. He urged beneficiaries to reinvest their earnings, adopt modern technologies and expand their operations.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, said the programme now operates across 12 agricultural hubs, with interventions including free land clearing, farm inputs, security, dams, buses and solar-powered irrigation. He added that the state plans to scale up participation to 50,000 youths by 2030.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Gold Adebayo, described the initiative as a strategic tool for tackling youth unemployment and boosting economic development.
YSJ Farms CEO, Oluwayemisi Joluwe, said the programme has gained traction across the South-West and would soon be extended nationwide.
Among the beneficiaries were Johnson Owoeye who got #1.5 m from iyemero , Akeredolu Michael the best youth of the year #1.5 million and Bolarinwa ABIODUN, #1 million. The beneficiaries commended governor Oyebanji for improved security and support, while calling for increased mechanisation from 2026 to further enhance productivity.