Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr.
Olabode Adetoyi has reiterated the commitment of the State Government
towards changing the phase of agriculture in the State from
subsistence to mechanized farming.
The Commissioner said this in his office during an official visit of
members of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM)
who came with the purpose of improving rice planting and increased
yielding technology in rice producing communities in the State for
assured food security.
While speaking, Dr. Adetoyi said that the target of the state
government was to reinforce farmers to grow enough foods for the state
consumption, adding that the government has already cleared about 1500
hectares of land across selected farm settlements in the State to be
allocated to farmers or investors who wish to contribute to
Agricultural production in Ekiti.
The Commissioner however assured them of the full support they might
needed in other to increase the Agricultural output of the farmers in
the State which will in turn be beneficial to the community.
Earlier, while thanking the commissioner for his warm reception, the
National Coordinator of the National Centre for Agricultural
Mechanization, Dr. Ademiluyi said the purpose of the visit was to make
Ekiti State one of the largest Producer of Rice in Nigeria through
mechanized farming.
He said that farmers will be selected, trained, allocated field and
also be taught on how to use the machines that would be brought to the
State to work on the farmlands provided by the State.
He explained further that with the proper training of Ekiti Farmers on
how to grow rice and the use the machines, the numbers of tons of rice
produced in the State would increase.
He solicited for suitable collaboration of the State government in
selecting a appropriate lowland for rice cultivation, accommodation
for the project staffs, as well as provision of starter packs to the
would-be trained farmers, including power tiller to enable them
commenced full implementation of the projects as soon as possible.