The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Folorunso
Olabode, gave the assurance in his office in Ado-Ekiti while receiving
a group of investors, Agrocola, who came to request for land for rice
and maize cultivation in the state.
Hon. Olabode, who said that the primary concern of the Fayemi-led
Government was to build the state economy around agriculture, added
that the administration was focusing on how to make farmers thrive for
sustainable growth.
The Commissioner disclosed that the state is working to create a nexus
between the Agricultural Cargo Airport located in Ado-Ekiti and the
Agricultural Processing Zone of Ekiti North Senatorial District for
ease of products marketing.
He said that the state has a 100,000 tons capacity silo for grains
storage, adding that government would provide other necessary
incentives for the promotion and development of agriculture in the
state.
While warning the investors against acquiring the land without use for
the purpose it was meant for, the Commissioner said that the governor
was relating with the Central Bank of Nigeria on an anchor borrower
programme to financially support farmers.
He promised government support and encouragement for the organization
to succeed in the state.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Adedapo
Akinola, advised the team to consider the distance between the farm
settlement allocated to them and the location of the participants so
as not to jeopardize the success of the project.
Also, the General Manager, Directorate of Farm Settlements and Peasant
Farmers Development, Mr. Oludare Asaolu said that the state would
allocate land for the organization at Gede in Oye Local Government,
while payment should be made through remita to the state, warning that
the land would be revoked after 3 months of allocation if not
cultivated.
Earlier, the leader of Agrocola team, who is the General Secretary,
Mrs. Linda Ahaneku, said that they were in the state to support and
encourage youths’ participation in agriculture and that Agrocola would
recruit about 100 youths who have passion for farming, train them,
give them land and incentives.
She said that Agrocola’s Programme is thriving in Kebbi, Niger and
some Northern states currently, saying that the organization wants to
have a pilot project in Ekiti, with a target of over 10,000 hectares
of farmland that would engage over 10,000 youths in the subsequent
years.
Also corroborating the General Secretary, the Project Manager of
Agrocola, Mrs. Gbemisola Taiwo, said that young farmers are expected
to register online, be trained and empowered, in the areas of input,
mechanisation, insurance, off-taking and finances.
She confirmed that over 200 youths have been selected to participate
in the maize cultivation in Ekiti Pilot Project this planting season,
with an appeal for quick allocation of the land by the State Government.