In line with the agenda of the Ekiti state government to drive the economic base of the state, alleviate poverty and provide employment for the youths, through agriculture, the EKiti state Ministry of Agriculture and food security is setting in motions efforts at constructing more earthen ponds for fishery production in the state.
The Special adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, who led the state team on an site seeing of some ponds explained that government would engage and empower more youths who are interested in fishery production which contributes majorly to food security as well as the state GDP.
Boluwade who was accmpanied by the State Chief Veterinary Officer, Director of Fishery and other staff of the Ministry, visited the Government owned Fishery Farm at Isinla, Ado Ekiti, presently run by a group of youth farmers under the umbrella of YCAD Poultry Cooperative.
The group has earthen ponds and a processing center where harvested fish are processed as dried fish.
Speaking after the facility tour, Mr Boluwade explained that, being an agrarian state where agriculture contributes about 40 percent of the GDP, out of which the aquaculture subsector plays an integral part, the government was making conscious efforts to meaningfully engage the youths, for them to also be employers of labour even while they feed the nation.
In his words
” This is the mandate, we are maximizing every of our potentials to ensure that we move on a fast lane of a speed boat. EKiti state is landlocked; enclosed by land with neither sea nor ocean surrounding for fishing purposes, therefore there is need to intensify more aquaculture practices so as to bridge the gap between fish demand and supply in the state.
The land here at Isinla Ado Ekiti is big enough to accommodate more than 50 youths. We will make this place and other places enabling and consucive for production for any interested youth. We want to see an exponential growth in Agricultural production soonest.”
Boluwade assured youths that efforts are underway to create more.opportunities for farmers across the state.