Oyebanji Presents N1bn Cheques To Ekiti Young Farmers

Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has presented cheques worth N1 billion to youths engaged in the state’s “Bring Back The Youth in Agriculture” initiative.

The commercial agriculture programme, involving 5,000 young farmers, is powered by the state government in partnership with YSJ Farms Limited.

The money disbursed is from the harvest proceeds of the young farmers drawn from the 12 farm clusters in the state.

Recalled that 145 million naira was presented to the pioneering participants of the programme in 2024.

Presenting the cheques to the young farmers on Monday at Osuntokun Pavilion, Government House, Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji, who was represented by his chief of staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo, said the state government is committed to creating an enabling environment for youth to thrive.

He said that the development of youth through this initiative validates the government’s belief in agriculture as a viable economic pathway and affirms the administration’s commitment to inclusion and sustainable development.

The governor said, ” When we conceived the Bring Back Youth Into Agriculture in Ekiti state in 2024, our objective was clear:  it was to deliberately reengage young people in agriculture, not as a subsistence activity but as a profitable business capable of providing sustainable livelihood and strengthening food security in Ekiti state.

“It is noteworthy that this programme has grown from 911 participants a year ago to 5000 this year.  This represents an over 500 per cent increase in headcount. This product, collectively generating a total profit of 5,000, has generated a total profit of 1 billion naira, representing a 700 per cent increase over the 145 million naira generated in 2024. This is what economists would call increasing returns to scale. This means they were more productive than they were in the previous year.

“These cheques being presented today, therefore represent their earnings, your rewards for months of dedication, your resilience, adherence to beat agricultural practices”.

In his address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, stated that the government’s target is to empower 50,000 youths in the state by 2030, and they will generate approximately N50 billion annually through agriculture.

According to him, this is the second edition of the presentation of the cheque to our worthy and committed youth. The first edition was held in November 2024, and over 1,000 youth were rewarded. However, today, more than 5,000 committed and hardworking youths will be rewarded with one billion naira.