….as Oyebanji commissions farm dormitories, pledges security for youth farmers
The YSJ Farms, an agriculture firm, specialising in mass food production, has set machinery in motion to increase the profit margin made by the Ekiti State youth farmers under its guidance from the current N800 million to N1 billion before the end of 2025.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Joluwe, made the promise in Ikere, Eporo and Iyemero Ekiti, after the commissioning of the farm dormitories built by Governor Biodun Oyebanji to encourage farm settlements in Ekiti State, on Wednesday.
The commissioning were done in three different locations of Iyemero, Eporo and Ikere Ekiti across the three senatorial districts of Ekiti State.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Joluwe, praised Governor Oyebanji for being visionary and steadfast in pursing his vision to encourage commercial farming and as well promote youth employment in the state.
About the exploits the firm has made within a short period, Mrs Joluwe stated that the youth farmers made a profit of N138 million in 2024, while operating in just four local governments.
She revealed that the profit margin has been lifted to a staggering sum of N800 million, when the operation now expanded to 13 local governments, with a target to increase the profile to a sum of one billion Naira before the end of 2025.
Mrs Joluwe said commercial farming midwifed by the state government in partnership with the firm has radicalised food production in Ekiti State and responsible for why Ekiti State is now rated as having the least food inflation in the country by the National Bureau of Statistics.
“Today’s occasion is more than just the commissioning of a building; it is a celebration of vision, leadership, and partnership — the kind that transforms communities, empowers young people, and builds a better tomorrow.
“Last year, we recorded a profit of ₦138 million operating in just four local government areas. As of today, we have expanded to thirteen local governments and surpassed ₦800 million.
“We are confident that before the end of this year, we will close above ₦1 billion in profit.While we commend the ongoing efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture, we must not overlook some of the challenges faced by our young farmers”.
To consolidate the gains further, the YSJ Managing Director, said incidences of insecurity have made youth farmers hesitant to return to their farms, appealing to Governor Oyebanji to swiftly address these concerns, so that the youth farmers can continue their noble work with confidence, safety, and pride.
Saluting th YSJ for making Ekiti proud in food production exploits, Governor Oyebanji, said his government has cleared a total of 5,000 hectares of land to be distributed to over 5,000 youth farmers for cultivation of food crops that will help in combating inflation in Ekiti.
The governor was enthralled that the cluster farming initiative has employed about 5,000 youths, who are now making huge profits from farming in Ekiti, thereby reducing the culture of chasing nonexistent white collar jobs around the cities.
Oyebanji promised that his government will tackle the unscrupulous elements and criminally minded individuals who were determined to sabotage his efforts and make farming difficult in the state .
He said besides reviving the moribund farm settlements built by the administration of the Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, that another 13 had been created to give comfort to the youth farmers in their farming areas.
“Today, the dormitories we are commissioning are built to provide convenient abode, so that the youth farmers can enjoy the comfort of the city and they won’t be distracted from.their main focus”.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ebenezer Boluwade, described the provision of dormitories as a way of reigniting the old magic wand of farm settlements that Awolowo used to make the western states the power house of food production in the country.
The Commissioner appealed to the youth farmers to make good use of the opportunity provided by the state government, saying Ekiti rising to food security status remains the focus was f the current government.
The Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba James Babatunde Ajiboye, commended the government for the innovative actions being deployed to boost agriculture in the state, describing this as a masterstroke that will revamp the sector in the state.