The Ekiti State Government has flagged off a yam seed support programme and the distribution of subsidised cocoa and oil palm seedlings as part of efforts to boost food security, increase agricultural productivity and enhance farmers’ incomes across the State.
The State Government disclosed that the yam seed support initiative is projected to generate over ₦6 billion annually through expanded agricultural activities, processing clusters and export development, while also supporting about 15,000 farmers within the next five years.
The exercise, held at the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Office, ADP, Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti, and the Livestock Development Centre, Erifun, Ado-Ekiti, is part of the Biodun Oyebanji administration’s agricultural transformation agenda.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, said the State Government would continue to deploy modern agricultural practices and improved seedlings to reclaim Ekiti’s lost glory in agriculture.
He explained that the yam seed support initiative is a structured, climate-aligned Public-Private Partnership involving the Ekiti State Government, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the Yam Farmers Association in Ekiti State for the scientific replication of high-yielding yam varieties.
According to him, the programme is expected to reduce yam seed costs by 40 percent, increase yields by 30 percent and build an export capacity of 15,000 metric tonnes annually.
Mr Boluwade added that Leky Mills would partner with farmers for the processing and export of yam produce.
He noted that the subsidised cocoa and oil palm seedlings initiative was designed to provide farmers with quality planting materials capable of improving productivity, wealth creation and long-term sustainability in the agricultural sector.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Agricultural Extension Services, Dr Sikiru Olowoyo, said the intervention would enhance the production of high-yield yam produce across the State.
Dr Olowoyo noted that the yam seed support programme was designed to address one of the major challenges facing farmers by creating access to quality, disease-free planting materials.
He added that the introduction of improved yam seed technology from IITA would guarantee higher yields, reduced production costs and better income for farmers.
Also speaking, the Director of Tree Crops, Mr Olutope Alao, said the distribution of subsidised improved cocoa and oil palm seedlings formed part of government efforts to develop the tree crops sector for wealth creation and economic growth.
He disclosed that the government made available high-yielding, disease-resistant, early-maturing and climate-resilient cocoa and oil palm seedlings for farmers at subsidised rates of ₦250 per stand of improved cocoa seedlings and ₦500 per Tenera oil palm seedling.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State Chapter, Mr Sunday Adekogbon; BOT Member of AFAN, Barrister Olalekan Okeya; Chairman of the Yam Farmers Association, Prince Ade Ajayi; and Chairman of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Ayo Ajewole, who all commended the State Government for the initiative.