The Ekiti state government has floated a company called Ilu-Eye Agro-trading and aggregation company limited in the state with a minimum share capital of N2 billion to ensure food security and economic growth.
The company which has been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and would be managed by the government is expected to buy back and aggregate agricultural products from the farmers during the harvest period, store and sell them later to the populace through a structured process.
The commissioner for information, Taiwo Olatunbosun said this was part of the decisions reached in advancing agricultural development during during the State Executive Council meeting on Friday and presided over by the governor, Biodun Oyebanji.
He explained that the decision was the fallout of the recommendations from the State Food Security Committee headed by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade set up in March this year.
The statement reads, “The establishment of Ilu Eye Agro Trading and Aggregation Company Limited is a testament to the government’s dedication to creating food security and a sustainable food system in the state and a significant stride towards achieving the desired goals.
The company is a commodity aggregation entity established to support the state investment at the upstream through a well-structured downstream operation and will be responsible for the buyback of some selected agricultural commodities like rice paddy, beans, maize, garri and palm oil from the farmsteads across the state.
“This will prevent the activities of middlemen who usually come from outside the state to rip off the farmers. This company will buy agricultural commodities during the harvest, store them in good atmospheric condition and make them available to the special food markets that will be created in the state during the off-season.
“This will help the state to bend the food inflation curve. The state-owned enterprise has been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and will be managed by the State Government, with plans to open up opportunities for private sector participation in the nearest future.”
Also, the commissioner added that a sum of N2.3 billion was approved for the clearing and preparation of 1,200 hectares of land for dry season farming activities in support of the ongoing youth in agriculture programme in the state.
“The state government is desirous of relieving farmers, particularly the youths the cost of opening of more lands, which will serve as huge incentives towards achieving food security. This exercise will further make agricultural production more attractive and profitable in the state.
“Approval was therefore given for 23 Vendors to complete the job in three months to facilitate the planting of crops in the current year at various locations including Aramoko, Ogbese (Ado), Ise, Iyemero, Ikere, Oke Ako, Youth out of Poverty in Moba, Igbara Odo/Ogotun LCDA, Gospel Faith Mission, Ilawe Rd, Araromi Oke, Alasi & Ayinku, Orin Farm Settlement, Ipere, Ijesa-Isu, Emure, Ijan road, Itapaji, Ikole and Iyemero,” he said.Related PostTinubu reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with France in key sectorsEmbrace Oyebanji’s friendly policies, Ekiti commissioner tasks youths.
He added that a sum of N264.8 million would also be used to clear 200 hectares of land for interested youths in Ado and Ekiti-West Local Government Areas, with the payment evenly to be paid by the state and affected LGAs in the sum of N132,400,000.00.The commissioner said, “Please note that these selected Local Governments had expressed interest in the Youth In Agriculture programme, demonstrating their commitment to promoting agricultural development among the youths.
“The approval is a demonstration of the unwavering resolve and commitment of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to transforming the agriculture sector through the empowerment of farmers in specific local governments in the state to boost production along the agricultural value chain.
“In view of the need to plant crops before the end of the farming season, Pizzos integrated service limited was engaged directly for the job in line with the direct procurement method and expected to execute the contract within four weeks to facilitate planting of crops this year jointly monitored by Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.”
To ensure maximum security across farm settlements in the state, he disclosed that the council approved N234.4 million for the construction of six security houses and the renovation of two existing security buildings in selected settlements.
“The approval is part of the government’s proactive step to secure farm settlements in the State which are valuable businesses that attract theft and vandalism, given their remote locations to safeguard farmers and their livelihood.“The contract to be awarded to Samuel Animawun Limited is to be executed within three months,” the statement read.
