By Faridat Salifu
Ekiti State is positioning agriculture as a central tool for tackling unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity, with thousands of youths already engaged in the sector through state-led initiatives.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji highlighted that agriculture could address at least 60 percent of Nigeria’s economic challenges if harnessed effectively.
Since the administration took office, more than 5,000 youths have been pulled off the streets and integrated into agricultural programs, creating jobs, generating income, and promoting food sufficiency across the state.
The governor made the remarks while receiving the Consul General of the Netherlands, Michel Deelen, in Ado Ekiti.
Oyebanji expressed Ekiti’s readiness to collaborate with the European nation to adopt modern agricultural practices, improve productivity, and accelerate the state’s agricultural revolution.
Deelen praised Ekiti for transforming agriculture into a driver of economic growth and youth empowerment.
He expressed the Netherlands’ interest in partnerships in areas including irrigation, agricultural technology, value chain development, and capacity building, aiming to introduce innovative farming systems to the state.
