The administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji is steadily transforming Ekiti’s rural economy, turning spaces once abandoned to crime into hubs of agribusiness, youth engagement, and wealth creation.
At Oke Ako, under the Bring Back Our Youths to Agriculture (BBYA) initiative, over 100 hectares of soybean plantation have been cultivated, alongside nearly 300 hectares of matured maize set for harvest in the coming weeks. The project, which was inspected during this year’s International Youth Day, has become a symbol of how agriculture can serve as a viable path to job creation, food security, and youth empowerment.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Ebenezer Boluwade, who led the inspection, said the initiative aligns with Governor Oyebanji’s Shared Prosperity Agenda, stressing that agriculture is not only about food production but also about securing lives, creating jobs, and building wealth for young people in the state.
In the same vein, the government is remodeling farm settlements to make farming attractive and sustainable. At Iyemero Farm Settlement in Ikole Local Government, one of the first five youth dormitories is nearing completion. Each dormitory will accommodate 100 youths, fully powered by solar energy, equipped with satellite facilities, and backed by 24/7 security.
According to the Commissioner, these efforts are deliberate steps to make farming appealing to the younger generation in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of positioning agriculture as a tool for economic prosperity.
“Governor Oyebanji is busy turning once uncovered spaces into epicentres of agribusiness and economic activities. Farming in Ekiti is no longer just about subsistence, it is becoming modern, attractive, and profitable,” Boluwade said.
With these interventions, Ekiti is not only boosting food security but also laying the foundation for a future where youths see agriculture as both a calling and a business.
