A SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR OF EKITI STATE, DR. KAYODE FAYEMI AT THE GRADUATION OF 150

PARTICIPANTS AND DECLARATION OF A N500 MILLION CREDIT FACILITY FOR ARABLE PRODUCTION HELD IN ADO-

EKITI ON MONDAY, 6 TH AUGUST, 2012

PROTOCOL

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this epoch making

ceremony. I consider it so as we are at this event living witnesses

to a revolution sweeping through our land to change the course of

farming as we knew it in our chequered history of economic

survival and sustenance.

We all know through the ages that our fathers toiled to till the

ground to bring the fruits of the field to sustain themselves and

family members in most inconvenient agonizing ways. One

common feature of that era was a whole army of farmers

scattered in small portions on expanses of land reaping

insignificantly little from massive labour and efforts. The implements of

trade were cutlasses and holes which they deployed for cultivation.

These indeed were tools of slavery and retardation. Commercialization

of agricultural activities then was an herculean task for those who

ventured into it. It is therefore understandable why farming is

unattractive to the youths of this generation who, of course, rightly

view it as a sign of life failures and backwardness.

The policy of this administration, as captured in the 8 Point Agenda, is

to change this orientation for the benefit of the State and its people

considering our

comparative advantage in agricultural activities for economic

rejuvenation and growth.

Beside this, a recently released “African Human Development

Report” by the United Nations noted that high rates of economic

growth have not prevented nearly a quarter of the population of Sub-

Saharan Africa from being affected by hunger. I need not over flog the

issue that our currently reported growth rate in Nigeria is hinged on

extractive sector gains. This suggests that “Nigeria without oil” is a risk

that must be mitigated with all attention.

We will need to develop a base for an inclusive and resilient economy

by diversifying our economy through a focused commercial agricultural

development agenda.

As you know, significant and rapid growth can only be achieved with

thorough attention on driving the practice of agriculture as a business.

This can only be achieved by empowering and providing more

opportunities for young people within the agricultural space.

Let me say today, that without effective policies and agenda on youth

development, the benefits of economic growth will continue to bypass

a significant proportion of Nigerians, including our teeming population

of youths. Deliberate policies focused on building capacity and

incentivising youth into agriculture must be embarked upon.

Policies that will aggressively create an enabling environment for

youth participation in agri-business should be the bedrock of our

diversification agenda.

I like to make it very clear that the State Government is directing

its attention on deliberate policy measures and targeted

investments aimed at facilitating the participation of youths in

practicing modern agriculture, as commercial entity. This is

currently being framed by our managerial and entrepreneurship

capacity building programme for emergent farmers in the State.

This managerial and entrepreneurship training programme, the

participants have just undergone, is expected to prepare them for

a future in agriculture and consolidate their knowledge as

commercial agri-business managers. I am glad with the level of

drill that you have undergone over the past two weeks. My hope

is that you will take the knowledge gained with all seriousness in

becoming successful commercial farmers of envy.

I want you to be assured that the government would provide a

strong and protected enabling environment, with required access

to resources needed to sustain and give entrepreneurial youths

with the advantage required in operating successful agricultural

businesses. Specifically, I will not relent on my effort in ensuring

that access to finance, developed land, technology and necessary

market are guaranteed.

Let me announce to you, that I have approved about N500 million

credit facilities, at single digit interest rate, to young and

emergent farmers within the YCAD Cooperative Union in Ekiti

State. Today, you will all have access to an expandable credit

facility of not less than N1.4 million each to boost

commercial production of High Value Crop such as Rice, Cassava,

Oil-palm and Cocoa. However, its worth noting that this is not a

stipend arrangement for unemployed youths. A performance

based structure had been built into the disbursement dynamics to

de-emphasis cash disbursement, but emphasise effective

business fund utilization for delivery of this programme’s

objective.

I am delighted to inform you that my government, with the

support of UNDP, had finalized the engagement of the service of a

Business Support Manager to consolidate management of your

individual businesses. The manager, with vast technical and farm

business management skills, will help in hand-holding you to drive

a successful commercial agricultural operation. Also, with several

millions of naira committed to the purchase of farm equipment

such as planters, boom sprayers, seed drills etc, he will support

you in the usage of these newly acquired modern farm equipment

for commercial plantation operations.

As you aware, it will require almost N2 million to open up

10hactare land for commercial operation. The State Government

had made adequate preparation in ensuring that this is taken off

your budget with the provision of at least 10hactares of

developed land for each of you. As at today, over 1000hactares of

newly acquired land is being opened and developed into

tractorable land for your uptake. Also, over 2,000hactares

government land has been allocated for your existing operation

and cultivation.

I am confident that your operations would boost our target of

putting to cultivation several thousand hectares of land in

agriculture. This is expected to directly and indirectly engage

20,000 youths by 2014. My hope also is to use the platform

provided by the training of these young farmers, under the newly

established YCAD Cooperative Union, to feed the South Western

market of Nigeria with vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes,

watermelon and leafy vegetables, hence assuring food security in

Ekiti and key markets like Lagos and Ibadan.

A lot of you will also be required to join in commercial nursery

operations under our cocoa and oil-palm nursery programme,

while others will come on-board of several medium scale

processing businesses in a bid to consolidate your commercial

endeavours and build the entire agricultural value chain.

Let me also hint you today that a robust commercial livestock

production and development programmes being designed to

engage youths in poultry, fisheries, and piggery production and

processing across the state. In a bid to assure a sustainable

venture within this space, the State Government is currently

finalizing arrangements with experienced private sector

institutions to run livestock out-grower scheme with youths. Upon

finalization of this intervention programme, several tonnes of

poultry, fisheries and piggery products will be produced by youths

from Ekiti State.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, with the support of all

stakeholders and particularly the Honourable Minister who has

given Ekiti State key attention and support under his Agricultural

Transformation Agenda, the State government is currently

finalizing plans for the establishment of an innovative College of

Agriculture in collaboration with institutions such as AGCO’s

Future Farmers Programme. This effort is expected to yield the

establishment of a model mechanized farming and learning

center within the proposed college facility. The college will offer

training courses ranging from basic mechanized agronomy and

livestock production technique to high tech mechanization.

It will also offer training on handling high specification equipment

(such as tractors and harvesters) and other precision farming

technology. AGCO will support the college with specialized

equipment to run a model farm and also train on latest

technology in grain handling and storage techniques. The college

facility is expected to sit on a 4,000ha land that will include the

proposed model farm. Successful farmers from your team are

expected to form part of the initial intake of the college to

consolidate on your acquired technical skills.

Let me use this opportunity to thank the Honourable Minister, who

was at the launch of the YCAD programme some months ago and

now coming in to check on the progress of the programme and its

participants. I wish to assure you Honourable Minister, of an

excellent output towards the efforts

of the Federal Government in relentlessly supporting the state’s

Agricultural Agenda.

I want to congratulate the 150 graduating participants of this

intensive ILO business management training - “Start and Improve

Your Business” programme. The journey to commercial

agriculture and economic sustainability has just begun.

Thank you and God bless.