The Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Ebenezer Boluwade said Ekiti State has made significant achievements in agriculture, driven by government initiatives and private sector partnerships.
The Commissioner made the remarks during a training organized by the Ministry in conjunction with the Ekiti State FADAMA Coordination Office on Sustainable Agriculture under Climate Change for farmers in the State.
According to Hon. Boluwade, the achievements among others include; mechanization, subsidized inputs, farm road rehabilitation and a focus on youth involvement. The State is also fostering agro-processing and market linkages to enhance value and profitability for farmers. Said he.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Babatope Ojo, told the gathering that the State Government cleared land free of charge for all interested community and over 4,000 hectares of land had been cleared across the State on subsidized tractor services, saying the State Government paid 50% subsidy on ploughing and harrowing for all interested farmers, according to him, this is making farming more efficient.
Mr. Babatope added that the Ekiti State Government is supporting farmers with subsidized Agric-inputs like cassava cutting, herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers and seeds of various crops.
In her opening remarks during the programme, the State Project Coordinator, Mrs. Olayemi Yetunde Okunlola apappreciated Ekiti State Government for the support for Ekiti State FADAMA which fafacilitated the project to implement Results Area 2 under NG-CARES in Ekiti State.
According to Mrs. Okunlola, over 40,000 farmers in year 2024 have benefited directly in the activities of the project in the distribution of free farm inputs and assets. She added that the project rehabilitated about 110.3km of farm roads in year 2024 with 83 culverts/bridges to facilitate movement of farm inputs and product including upgrading of 23 wet markets with solar powered water sources.
The State Coordinator therefore, called on the farmers to take advantage of the training to increase their production capabilities.
Over 300 farmers participated in training where the were trained on Efficient Use and Care of Small Scale Agricultural Assets, Sustainable Agricultural Practices Under Climate Change, Sustainable Livestock Production, Group Dynamics and Record Keeping, Occupational Health and Safety.
