Ekiti State Shares ₦1bn Agricultural Profits with Over 4,600 Youths

News in Brief

-Ekiti shared ₦1 billion profits with 4,657 youths from 13 cluster farms, up from 911 beneficiaries and ₦145 million last year, boosting maize, cassava, and rice output.

-Governor Oyebanji praised 700% profit growth, awarding top farmer Akeredolu Michael ₦1.5 million amid calls to reinvest in agribusiness.

The Ekiti State Government has disbursed ₦1 billion in profits realised from its Bring Back Our Youths in Agriculture programme to 4,657 youth beneficiaries across the state.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, noting that the funds represent profits from the programme’s most recent farming season.

Boluwade explained that the initiative is a youth-focused, cluster-farming scheme implemented in partnership with YSJ Farms Limited. It is designed to encourage young people to engage in commercial agriculture, enhance food security, and stimulate economic growth in Ekiti State.

Cluster Farming Model

He said the initiative currently operates at least 13 cluster farms, offering participants access to agricultural training, improved seeds, fertilisers, modern farming equipment, technical support, and ready markets for their produce.

The youth-led commercial agriculture programme adopts a model covering crops such as maize, yams, soya beans, cassava, vegetables, rice, and cowpea.

According to the commissioner, the latest profit-sharing exercise follows an earlier disbursement of ₦145 million to 911 youths under the scheme in the previous year.

Growth in Participation, Profit

Speaking at the profit-sharing ceremony on Wednesday, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo, expressed satisfaction with the rapid growth and impact of the programme.

He said the initiative recorded a 500% increase in participation and a 700% rise in profit within one year, expanding from 911 beneficiaries in 2024 to nearly 5,000 youths in 2025, while profits grew from ₦145 million to ₦1 billion.

The governor commended the participating youths for their dedication and productivity, noting that their commitment had translated into increased yields and tangible economic returns.

“This cheque, being presented today, represents your earnings, our reward for months of dedication, resilience, and adherence to agricultural best practices. It sends a strong message to Ekiti State and beyond that, with the right support, training, and commitment, young people can drive economic growth and become employers of labour rather than job seekers,” Oyebanji said.

He urged beneficiaries to utilise the proceeds prudently by reinvesting in their farms, expanding operations, and adopting modern technologies to build sustainable agribusinesses.

Continued Support to Sustain Programme

On behalf of the governor, Adebayo assured the youths of the state government’s continued support to ensure the sustained growth of the programme. He also commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and YSJ Farms Limited for their strategic implementation of the initiative.

The governor further acknowledged the role of other stakeholders, particularly the state’s security agencies, in ensuring the safety of participants throughout the farming cycle.

During the event, outstanding participants, including Akeredolu Michael, who emerged as Best Youth Farmer of the Year, received cheques of ₦1.5 million, while other participants were awarded ₦1 million and ₦500,000 respectively.

Youth Empowerment and Improved Livelihoods

Boluwade reiterated that the programme prioritises youth empowerment by providing access to land, farm inputs, technical support, and guaranteed markets, enabling participants to build sustainable livelihoods and earn steady incomes.

He added that the initiative aligns with the state government’s broader empowerment strategy, which focuses on reinvesting in agriculture to achieve food security and create sustainable wealth for both the state and its citizens.

The commissioner further assured that revenues generated from the cluster farms and other government-led agricultural ventures would continue to be reinvested in the sector to expand opportunities and sustain growth.