By Damilola Adeleke

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has announced that young farmers participating in the state’s agricultural scheme made over N200 million in profit last year from the sale of their produce.

Speaking on Tuesday while hosting the management team of Origin Tech Group, led by its Chief Executive, Prince Samuel Joseph, Governor Oyebanji reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to food security and the transformation of Ekiti into an agricultural hub.

Governor Oyebanji highlighted the state’s investment in agriculture, which has helped turn farming into a profitable business venture. He noted that the N200 million earned by the farmers came from off-takers, big processing plants, and the state government, which bought and stored the produce.

The governor also revealed that the success of the program has encouraged more young people to join, with 2,000 young farmers already signed up for this year’s cluster farming program.

To ensure continued success, the government has provided land clearing, tractorization, and improved seedlings, allowing farmers to focus on production with the assurance that their crops will be purchased.

Governor Oyebanji further emphasized his administration’s goal of achieving food surplus, youth empowerment, and economic opportunities through agriculture. He stated that the government’s policy of supporting farmers has allowed them to expand their farming activities, while the guarantee of market access has served as an additional motivation for participation.

To strengthen the sector, the government plans to introduce middle-level market hubs that will serve as distribution centers, ensuring an efficient food production, processing, and supply system across the state.

The governor assured that his administration would continue to provide the necessary infrastructure to support farmers and transform agriculture into a major driver of industrialization in Ekiti.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group, Prince Samuel Joseph, commended Governor Oyebanji’s efforts in developing the agricultural sector. He described the governor’s initiatives as a testament to visionary leadership and expressed his company’s readiness to partner with the state to advance agricultural growth.

Joseph highlighted that Origin Tech Group would support Ekiti through various initiatives, including the introduction of cooperatives, prototype clusters, and logistics centers to generate more resources for the state and its people.

He also stated that the company’s collaboration with Ekiti would help the state achieve at least 40% equity in its agricultural investments.

According to him, a successful partnership with Ekiti State would serve as a model for food security and economic growth, positioning the state as a leader in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Governor Oyebanji assured that the government would continue to foster strategic collaborations to sustain this momentum and ensure long-term agricultural success.