By Chinedu Okorie, African Business Correspondent
Ekiti State is witnessing a remarkable agricultural renaissance, driven by youth participation and modern technology. Once famed for its yam, cassava, and cocoa production, the state had slipped into dependency on imported food. Today, however, a new wave of innovation is restoring farming to its former glory.
From Decline to Revival
In the 1960s, under the visionary leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, farm settlements across the South-West transformed agriculture into a respected vocation. Over time, this advantage eroded, leaving farming stigmatized and unattractive. Ekiti was hit hardest, with dwindling yields and a weakened economy.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji is now reversing that decline. Through a bold Public-Private Partnership with YSJ Farms, his administration is repositioning agriculture as a profitable, technology-driven enterprise.
Modern Farm Settlements
The revival is anchored on the Farm Settlements Initiative, supported by President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Farm Dormitory Scheme. New dormitories in Eporo, Iyemero, and Ikere provide housing and security for young farmers, enabling them to focus on production without fear.
Over 5,000 youth are now engaged in commercial farming, cultivating cassava, maize, yam, tomatoes, peppers, and poultry on a large scale. These efforts are not only boosting food sufficiency but also driving industrial growth.
Profits and Partnerships
Mrs. Oluwayemisi Joluwe, CEO of YSJ Farms, revealed that youth farmers under her firm’s guidance have generated a combined profit of ₦800 million since 2024, with projections to reach ₦1 billion by the end of 2025. Starting with three local governments, YSJ Farms has expanded to 13, creating jobs and strengthening value chains.
Joluwe, who has invested in crop production, animal husbandry, and agro-processing since 2006, praised the government’s commitment but urged stronger security measures to protect farmers. Her firm also processes and packages Igbemo (Ofada) rice, attracting buyers from Lagos, Ondo, Osun, and Kwara, thereby boosting Ekiti’s internally generated revenue.
Youth Voices and Government Support
Youth representative Olanrewaju Saliu commended the governor for cluster farming initiatives, school renovations, and security posts near farm dormitories. He described these measures as transformative, positioning Ekiti as Nigeria’s emerging food basket.
Commissioner for Agriculture Ebenezer Boluwade added that the Eporo dormitory accommodates 200 farmers, powered by solar energy and generators. The settlement spans 300 hectares, turning once-abandoned land into a productive hub while curbing insecurity. Plans are underway to establish a ₦20 million Agric Transformation Centre in Emure–Eporo, complete with poultry and processing facilities.
A New Era of Hope
Governor Oyebanji emphasized that the initiative aims to dismantle poverty, stabilize food prices, and create employment. With youth at the forefront, Ekiti’s agricultural revival is reshaping perceptions of farming—no longer a symbol of drudgery, but a pathway to prosperity and industrial growth.
