Ekiti votes N1.6bn to develop farm clusters

Ekiti State Council has approved N1.644bn for the construction of halls of residence for farmers in some farm clusters and other agricultural projects, to boost food security.

The Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, who announced this, said the State Executive Council also made other decisions at its meeting which was held on Tuesday.

Olatunbosun, in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, said the government approved N1.102bn for the construction of Renewed Hope dormitories (hall of residence for farmers with a maximum of 50 persons per hall) in some farm clusters in the state.

He said, “The approval is part of the unwavering resolve and commitment of the present administration to transform the agriculture sector.

“This administration has taken a giant stride in ensuring that youths interested in agriculture are provided with a conducive and enabling environment to undertake their farming activities.”

He stated that the dormitories had been approved to be located at Oke-Ako, Ikere, Emure/Eporo, Iyemero and Aramoko, adding that the contracts had been awarded to Joshua Beckley Limited, Onalar Farms Agro Allied Limited and Samuel Animawun Limited.

The commissioner said the state government also awarded a N392.5m contract to construct trenches around different farm clusters within the state.

He said, “Construction of trenches around farm clusters in the state is to prevent soil erosion and undue access by cattle and other animals.

“This initiative of Governor Biodun Oyebanji is to revolutionize agriculture towards ensuring food security, empowering farmers and boosting the state economy.

“The trenches are also expected to prevent flooding and facilitate irrigation, increase crop yields as well as prevent undue access to farmland by cattle and other animals.

“Locations where the trenches are to be constructed include Oke-Ako1, Oke-Ako2, Ado, Emure, Aramoko, Ise, Ikere, Gede.”

Olatunbosun added that the SEC also approved N150m for farm mechanisation across the state.

“The goal of farm mechanisation is to increase productivity, expand cultivated land, promote industrialisation and strengthen the market for rural economic growth.

“This will ultimately improve the livelihoods of farmers and support legacy farmers who wish to expand their farm size, despite facing financial constraints due to rising land preparation costs. It will also stimulate investors’ interest in farm power and machinery enterprises across the state,” he said.

The commissioner said the state government also approved N169.3m for the renovation of Ayo Fasanmi Model Building, Ado Ekiti.

The renovation is to rectify the structural defects which prompted the temporary closure of the school.

Olatubosun said, “Given the urgency and peculiarity of the building, the Bureau of Special Projects was requested to visit the site for an on-the-spot evaluation and come up with an immediate solution to prevent the entire building from collapse.”

He said the job was expected to be completed within six weeks.