As part of efforts to boost food production through empowerment initiatives for peasant farmers and as well encourage more youths to venture into Agric business, the Ekiti State Government has presented cheques worth over 600 million naira to Farmers Cooperative Societies across the state.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji presented the Cheques at Launch of new farming season held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti
The programmme was tagged *BAO GIANT STRIDES IN AGRICULTUREG Governor Oyebanji underscored the important roles of farmers in the state.
He said the gesture would enhance food production and security for residents and boost the state’s economy.
He said his administration would embark on grading and rehabilitation of about 1,000km rural roads to ease transportation of their commodities to towns, while produce inspectors would soon be employed across the state.
The Governor urged the benefitting Farmers Cooperative societies to use the money for judiciously urging them to return the funds as stipulated for others to benefit.
Mr Oyebanji called on Chairmen of local council areas to work with his Specail Adviser on Agric and Food Security so that farmers in their locality could benefit from the largesse.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade who said Agriculture is a way out of poverty informed that about 2000 farmers would benefits from the initiative.
He thanked the Governor for fulfilling the various promises made during election and attracting the interest of youth to agriculture as against desperate search for white collar job.
He assured the people that the ministry would continue to come up with programs towards achieving food surplus as well as commerce for Farm produce
Goodwill messages came from the State Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Mr Adeniran Alagbada, Special Adviser on Trade, Investments and Industry, Mrs Tayo Adeola, SA Internal Security, Brig Gen Ogundana.
They described Mr Oyebanji as a Farmer-Friendly Governor.
Representatives of the Farmers Cooperative Societies who thanked the Governor for the gesture promised to use the money as expected.
The benefitting Farmers Co-operative societies in this phase were captured and registered under the Ekiti CARES – FADAMA Program.