Ekiti Sets Up Storage Facilities to Tackle Food Scarcity, Boost Youth Farming 

In a bold move to ensure food sufficiency and reduce post-harvest losses, the Ekiti State Government has established storage facilities across the state to stockpile farm produce during harvest and release it during periods of scarcity. 

Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who inspected one of the storage facilities in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, stated that the initiative was part of his administration’s efforts to prevent a repeat of last year’s food shortage in the state.

Accompanied by key officials, including Chief of Staff Niyi Adebayo, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Boluwade Ebenezer, and Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperatives Mrs Tayo Adeola, the Governor emphasised the urgency of addressing hunger and ensuring food security. 

Governor Oyebanji said, “We promised Ekiti State good governance and like you said we have been trying to work that talk. The President directed that each state should embark on strategy of food security and in Ekiti State in the last one year, we have started with phase one of a very deliberate attempt to ensure that we prow ourselves out of hunger, last year we cumulatively cultivated over 6,000 hectares of land in the state, all planted.

“Going forward, we want to ensure that those crops that we buy from the youth, store them there and we will release to the market when there is increase in prices of food so that we can moderate prices”.

He added that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to state governors to prioritise food security as a critical measure against hunger nationwide. 

The Governor revealed that Ekiti State cultivated over 6,000 hectares of farmland in 2024 but faced challenges in storing the resulting harvest. The new storage facilities, he explained, will not only preserve food but also help regulate market prices during periods of scarcity.

The Governor also expressed delight that much of the farm produce stored came from young farmers under the Bring Back Youth in Agriculture programme, reiterating his administration’s commitment to alleviating hunger and boosting youth engagement in agriculture. 

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Boluwade Ebenezer, affirmed that the initiative is designed to create opportunities for young farmers while ensuring a steady food supply throughout the year.

Governor Oyebanji assured the people of Ekiti that the government remains dedicated to delivering good governance, fulfilling its promises, and making food security a top priority. The storage facilities are expected to significantly enhance the state’s capacity to combat hunger, stabilise food prices, and foster agricultural development. 

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi 

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