The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji has said his administration will open more lands for large scale farming to enhance food security.
Oyebanji gave the assurance on Wednesday during his new year statewide broadcast themed: “Year of Accelerated Development”.
Oyebanji said his government will also continue supply farmers will high yield seedlings, fertiliser and other necessities at subsidised rate.
This according to him, will boost the socioeconomic impact of agriculture in advancing the economic status of Ekiti.
His statement read in part, “As Government, we understand the socioeconomic importance of agriculture to the total economic profile of our State. Agriculture remains the mainstay of our economy contributing about 80% to our GDP. We are addressing critical challenges associated with poõr yield, access to credit, land clearing, among others. We will continue to supply farmers with high yield seedlings, fertilizer and other necessities at subsided rate.
“In this year, our budget plans already indicate that we are devoting more resources to agriculture and food security. We will open more lands for large scale farming in the new year.
“I am glad about the progress we have made in our youth in agriculture projects including the Erifun Livestock hub and the Bring-Back-the-Youths to Agriculture programs in such locations as Oke-Ako, Iyemero, Ise, Aramoko/Erio/Eporo/Emure, Ado and Gede. This is in addition to the efforts of private sector players like YSJ, Agbeyewa, FMS, Promise Point, MAO Organic, JMK and other investors in the Agric Value Chains. The massive land clearing in those locations has tremendously reduced crimịnal activities in the State.
“Additionally, as part of our plans to trigger massive economic activities for the accelerated economic activities of the State, we will invest in more land clearing, tractorization of more farm lands, construction of farm markets, abattoirs, farm dormitory and provision of farm inputs in the new year.
“We will also leverage the Livestock Productivity Resilience Support (L-PRES) project of the World Bank to empower livestock farmers to optimize their productivity and profitability.
“We will also continue to support our farmers to ensure reduction in cost of production and stability in price through market guaranteed buyback. To achieve this, we have established Ilu-Eye Trading Company to engage in off-taking buying during surplus production so as to ensure fair price recovery for the farmers and price stability for the consumers of farm produce.
“Availability of portable water continues to receives a boost in the State. While a significant milage has been attained already, there is still a lot to be done to ensure the dividend of the investment in water assets gets to our people.
“In furtherance of the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygienic (SURWASH) program, assisted by the World Bank, more money is being devoted to the rehabilitation of water infrastructure, especially, boreholes in rural areas. We have done hundreds of such rehabilitation already, but, more places will be covered in this year. Our objective is to ensure our people must have access to clean and hygienic water for their daily use”.
Peoplesmind
