To ensure food security, and boost state internally generated revenue and employment, Ekiti state Governor Biodun Oyebanji has announced the adoption of the farm settlement era experienced under the leadership of the late Premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The state known for its benevolence in the production of cash crops such as cocoa, oil palm, cashew, timber, and citrus amongst others, would work on ultra-modern dormitories at the various farm settlements to actualise its target in the next three weeks.
Oyebanji who is certain that agriculture as a tool of empowerment for the youth would ensure food security and drive industrialisation, assured that the dormitories would have facilities like kitchens, security posts, and sick bays, to attract young farmers into the state agribusiness.
He said, “The land we are returning to now was last cleared by Chief Awolowo during his time as Premier in Western Region.
“This is the beginning of greater things that will happen in Ekiti State. Western Region was renowned for agriculture under Chief Awolowo and he developed the Western Region without oil money and we had a food surplus in those days. With what we are doing with our youths now, we are returning to the era of Awolowo’s farm settlements.
“In Ekiti State, only six local government chairmen have keyed into this initiative. I want to ask other local government chairmen who have not keyed into this project to do so. Within the next three weeks, construction of the dormitories will start. We now have more youths showing interest in the scheme, they will have that opportunity to join in the next stage once we get more land.”
The governor assured the expedited construction of motorable roads, security at the locations and provision of vehicles and motorcycles to aid the mobility of the participants.
The Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, commended Oyebanji’s interest in agriculture, adding that the kingdom youths who are participants in the scheme would justify their inclusion.