Ekiti Commissioner attributes slump in food prices to Gov Oyebanji ‘s agriculture initiative

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Ekiti State, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade has traced the reduction in prices of food commodities in the State to the various agriculture intervention programmes of the State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji.

The commissioner stated this in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday while featuring on a weekly simulcast radio programme, describing the various agricultural intervention programmes as “impactful”.

Boluwade said the various programmes are targeted at ensuring food security and they are already stabilizing and regulating the markets and reducing the cost of food prices.

“A lot has happened and we have data to support some of the impacts. The market is also getting a positive response and we have been having the lowest prices in food items for the past three or four months. This shows that our productivity is also increasing, food items are available and very well secured, Boluwade said”.

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Highlighting the efforts of the state government, the commissioner disclosed that the government has cleared over 5,000 hectares of land to support local farmers and subsidized essential agricultural products with a view to transforming the agricultural sector from a primarily subsistence model to an export-driven industry.

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Boluwade also spoke on the partnership between the state government and some institutions of higher learning in the state which is aimed at fostering research and innovation in agriculture, creating job opportunities for young people and facilitating a sustainable agro-driven job opportunities for youth in the state.

The Agric commissioner who stated that the state is actively encouraging young people to venture into agriculture, with specific investments in poultry farming added that its efforts have culminated in the establishment of nine poultries across the state with two more in the pipeline.