Ekiti Approves ₦2.6bn for BBYA to Boost Youth Farming, Agric Infrastructure

News in Brief

-Ekiti State has approved ₦2.6 billion for the BBYA programme to cut post-harvest losses and boost youth farming.

-It resolved the youth-partner dispute with YSJ Farms and paid young farmers over ₦1.2 billion in profits, cleared 6,000+ hectares, and eyes 50,000 participants by 2030.

The Ekiti State Government has approved over ₦2.6 billion to bolster its Bring Back Our Youths to Agriculture (BBYA) programme, with funding for land clearing, warehouse construction, and youth engagement in farming. This investment, comprising ₦1.5 billion for land clearing and ₦1.1 billion for warehouses across five locations, aims to enhance food production, storage, and reduce post-harvest losses.

Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun disclosed this in a statement to journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, underscoring Governor Biodun Oyebanji's commitment to agriculture as an economic driver.

"The present administration is determined to consolidate on the gains already achieved under the BBYA programme and further position agriculture as a key driver of the state’s economy," Olatunbosun stated. “The Oyebanji administration remains intentional about using agriculture as a tool for wealth creation, food security, and youth employment. The state is strengthening partnerships and providing a conducive environment, supported by infrastructure, to sustain long-term growth in the sector.”

Dispute Resolution and Programme Strengthening

Olatunbosun clarified that a recent misunderstanding between some participating youths and private partner, YSJ Farms Ltd, has been resolved amicably, with the government reaffirming its commitment to the partnership. The administration has strengthened the programme's framework for better outcomes in future cycles.

On security, he acknowledged an October 2025 breach but affirmed Ekiti's status as one of Nigeria's safest states, vowing no negotiations with criminals or ransom payments while enhancing security measures.

BBYA Objectives and Interventions

The BBYA programme empowers youths, boosts food production, and fortifies the agricultural value chain by attracting young people to profitable farming opportunities and cutting unemployment via agribusiness. It promotes modern techniques, inputs, mechanisation, private partnerships, value addition, and market access to make agriculture competitive for youths.

Key interventions include clearing over 6,000 hectares of farmland, 50% tractorisation subsidy, 100 farm clusters, and 13 farm hubs for cooperatives and youth participation.

According to the commissioner, the state is committed to strengthening partnerships and providing a conducive environment, supported by infrastructure, to sustain long-term growth in the sector.

BBYA Performance and Achievements Since Inception

Launched in 2024, the BBYA has delivered strong results, transforming subsistence farming into profitable agribusiness. In its first full year, young farmers earned over ₦200 million from produce sales to private buyers, processors, and the state, supported by land clearing, tractors, and improved seedlings—sparking interest from 2,000 more youths.

By December 2025, 4,657 young farmers received ₦1 billion in profits (between ₦500,000 and ₦1.5 million each) from the harvest, with the state targeting 50,000 youths and ₦50 billion food output by 2030. Governor Oyebanji hailed it as proof of youths' potential, backed by guaranteed purchases and inputs.