…Receives National Agribusiness policy Award
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji was on Monday honoured as a champion of the National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism (NAPM) in the Southwest, just as he launched the Harvesting Hope Caravan, a component of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu focusing on food security.
The Governor also signed an insurance policy on behalf of Ekiti farmers as part of efforts to boost food production and economic development.
Performing the launch in Ado Ekiti On Monday, Governor Oyebanji commended the President and NAPM for counting him and Ekiti State worthy of the honour, as he reiterated his administration’s commitment to change the narratives in agricultural development.
The Governor also commended efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the areas of food security and socio-economic development across Nigeria.
The Governor stated that the food system programme is in consonance with the Renew Hope Agenda of Mr. President which aims to creates a formidable and unified lasting change in national food system.
Highlighting the importance of the insurance policy to include provision of support for farmers in the event of natural disasters that may affect their crops, Governor Oyebanji promised to continually support every effort of President Tinubu geared towards achieving growth and development of Nigeria especially in his strategic direction to achieve food security that will transform the country’s food systems through data-driven policies, public-private partnerships, and initiatives to increase agricultural productivity, stabilize food prices, and drive sustainable rural development.
“We are very proud to associate with the agriculture policy of the Federal Government as we share the same policy objectives.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is in tandem with the 6-Pillars of our Administration. Hence, the need to ensure that Ekiti people collaborate and benefit from the Federal Government’s interventions.”
The Governor added that the Harvesting Hope Caravan is a grassroots platform and a bottom-up approach to foster dialogue, build partnerships, and unify the numerous national and sub-national efforts to strengthen agricultural development and food security in Nigeria.
“This present administration is committed to improving the food systems in Ekiti State, this is more reason we have invested massively in agriculture, rural and food systems since we assumed office till date. In addition, we have created an enabling and secured environment across the length and breaths of Ekiti state.
“Our State is adjudged the safest State in Nigeria. It is therefore pertinent to mention that the present administration has developed numerous strategies aimed at positioning the State as a First Choice Investment Destination to agro-investors and drawdown huge Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the State.
“This can be attested to with the influx of credible investors to the State, since 2023 till date.
“It is therefore pertinent to mention that the present administration has developed numerous strategies aimed at positioning the state as a first-choice investment destination to agro-investors and draw down huge foreign direct investment to the state.
“This can be attested to with the influx of credit investors to the states since 2023 to date. Our administration has done 4,800 hectares of land clearing for communities, cooperatives and individuals on free of charge basis.
“We also provided free fertilizer distribution to farmers in 2024 and gave 50 percent subsidy in 2025. Over six thousand hectares of land preparations at 50 percent subsidy for tractorization, likewise 50 percent subsidies on agro-chemicals and seed stock seedlings were provided for our farmers.”
He commended YSJ Farms Limited for its effective collaboration with the state government to champion the Bring Back the Youths into agriculture stating further that over 5,000 young farmers are participating in the project leading to the construction of Renew Hope Farm dormitories across farm clusters to provide conducive accommodation for the youth on the farm.
Aside massive land clearing, other initiatives of the administration according to Governor Oyebanji include provision of free fertilizer to farmers in 2024, 50 percent subsidy on fertilizer in 2025 and preparation of over 6,000 hectares of land at 50 percent subsidy for tractorization and agro-chemicals among others.
He affirmed that his administration’s policies in the sector aim to strengthen empowerment of farmers through provision of mechanized farming and improve the agricultural value chain in the state.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary, Presidential Food Security Coordinating Unit, Office of the Vice President, Ms Marion Moon, explained that the team was in Ekiti State to identify priority programmes and existence structures with a view to improving and strengthen agricultural value-chain in the state.
Ms Moon reaffirmed President Tinubu’s mission to unlock Nigeria’s immense economic potential with particular focus on fostering collaboration with subnational to tackle the food deficits affecting Nigerians stressing the urgent need to address the root cause of the crisis in order to develop national sustainable food system.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade thanked Governor Oyebanji for signing the insurance policy for Ekiti farmers saying it will engender farmers to get necessary support in case of natural disaster, while caravan approach will attend to the demands of farmers as identified at various their localities.
Also at the event were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, members of the state executive council among others.
