In a major boost to food security and youth empowerment, the Ekiti State Government has presented cheques totalling ₦1 billion to young farmers as profits from the 2025 harvest season.
The funds were distributed to 4,657 participants of the “Bring Back the Youth in Agriculture” programme during a ceremony held at the Osuntokun Pavilion, Government House, Ado Ekiti.
Individual payouts ranged from ₦500,000 to ₦1,500,000, representing the net profits earned by the youths after a successful farming cycle.
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The programme has seen an unprecedented expansion within just one year.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, represented by his Chief of Staff, Niyi Adebayo, highlighted that the initiative has grown from 911 participants in 2024 to nearly 5,000 in 2025—a 500% increase in headcount.
Correspondingly, the collective profit surged by 700%, rising from ₦145 million in 2024 to the current ₦1 billion.
This success has directly impacted the state’s economy, with recent National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data identifying Ekiti as one of the states with the lowest month-on-month food inflation.
Oyebanji emphasised that his administration is committed to making agriculture a sustainable career path rather than a “vocation of last resort.”
“Today’s gathering is not just about the presentation of cheques; it is about celebrating the triumph of our youth. Agriculture is a profitable business that one can proudly engage in on a sustainable basis,” the governor stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to reinvest their proceeds into their farms to expand operations and adopt modern technologies, rather than treating the payout as a final destination.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, credited the program’s success to the extensive infrastructure provided by the state.
This includes twelve farm hubs established specifically for youth clusters, 5,000 hectares of free land clearing, and ultra-modern dormitories in Ikere, Eporo, Ado, Aramoko, and Iyemero.
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He also highlighted the provision of buses, solar power, and dedicated security personnel, known as Agro Marshals, for the farm clusters.
The project is a strategic partnership with YSJ Farms Limited, designed to provide market linkages and technical expertise to the young agripreneurs.
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