Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration in Ekiti State has distributed improved tomato, pepper and cucumber seedlings worth over 5 million naira to some farmers’ groups in Erio and Awo Ekiti.
Presenting the seedlings to the beneficiaries in separate ceremonies at Erio and Awo-Ekiti , the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade said the gesture was in line with the commitment of Biodun Oyebanji led administration to promote food security in the State.
According to him, the State Government launched the impactful initiative to empower vegetable farmers and transform the cultivation of vegetable into a profitable venture that will make bountiful contributions to economic growth and food security in the State.
Boluwade noted that the improved seedlings that were distributed have been tested and certified across the world and are reputed to have the capacity to produce yield that are ten times greater than the conventional seedlings.
A total of 100 sachets of tomato seedlings, 50 sachets of pepper and 25 sachets of cucumber seedlings were presented to farmers in the two communities while efforts were on to make more of the improved seedlings available to other farmers.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Babatope Ojo noted that the administration of Governor Oyebanji is embarking on massive Agricultural interventions in different forms to make Ekiti State the food basket of the nation.
He reiterated the commitment of the Government to providing necessary support to all farmers in line with current administration’s shared prosperity mantra.
The Co-founder of Post harvest solutions Limited, Mayowa Ekundayo who is partnering with the State Government to train and form cluster groups for farmers cultivating vegetable commended the State Government for the gesture.
He expressed delight at the passion exhibited towards farming by the Biodun Oyebanji administration, saying it was the first time any government in the state will invest heavily in vegetable farming /horticulture
Some of the beneficiaries, including Chief Joseph Ayodeji and Bashir Adebomojo appreciated the State Government for the laudable initiative, promising to make judicious use of the opportunity.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
