Governor Oyebanji Unveils Plans To Open Up Vast Lands For Commercial Farming

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has announced that his administration will open additional lands for large-scale farming as part of efforts to strengthen food security in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In his New Year address, themed “Year of Accelerated Development,” Oyebanji assured that his government would continue providing farmers with high-yield seedlings, fertilizers, and other essential resources at subsidized rates.

He emphasized the importance of agriculture to Ekiti’s economy, stating, “Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, contributing about 80% to our GDP. We are tackling critical challenges like low yields, lack of access to credit, and land clearing. Our commitment to supporting farmers remains strong.”

The governor outlined that the state’s 2025 budget includes significant investments in agriculture and food security, with plans to expand farmland for large-scale farming.

He expressed pride in the progress made through youth-focused agricultural programs, including the Erifun Livestock Hub and Bring-Back-the-Youths to Agriculture initiatives in various locations across the state. He also highlighted the positive impact of private sector collaborations in the agricultural value chain, which have helped reduce criminal activity through large-scale land clearing.

Furthermore, Oyebanji unveiled plans to increase investments in land clearing, farm mechanization, the development of farm markets and abattoirs, and the provision of essential farming inputs. He also noted that the Livestock Productivity Resilience Support (L-PRES) project by the World Bank will be leveraged to empower livestock farmers and enhance productivity in the state.