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13 hours ago
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Eleje of Ipole-Ileje Ekiti, Kajola Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State, Chief Olusegun Akiti, has empowered 250 farmers with cash and farming input to boost agricultural productivity.
The monarch gave each beneficiary N10,000 with cassava stems, seedlings, tools, and agro-chemicals during the annual Olusuise Yam Festival.
Akiti said the gesture was part of his commitment to empower rural farmers and promote self-reliance.
He noted that agriculture is the backbone of the community’s economy and must be strengthened to tackle food scarcity and unemployment.
According to him, the empowerment initiative was carefully designed to reach grassroots farmers who often struggle with limited resources to expand their farms and increase yield.
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He added that the project aligns with the Governor Oyebanji’s government efforts to reposition the agriculture sector as a major driver of development and catalyst for prosperity.
The traditional ruler noted that farmers are key to the socio-economic prosperity of the community, stressing that the survival of traditional festivals such as Olusuise Yam Festival depends largely on bountiful harvests.
“When farmers prosper, the community prospers. This programme is to encourage you and to ensure Ipole-Ileje remains a food basket,” he said.
Chief Akiti assured the community that the empowerment would be sustained annually, promising to expand the scope in future editions to accommodate more farmers and other sectors of the local economy.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Olowolagba Idowu expressed joy over the gesture, describing it as timely in the face of the rising costs of farming inputs.
He said that the support would reduce financial burden on smallholder farmers and encourage more people to venture into agriculture.
Another beneficiary, Mr. David Ajayi, said the tools and chemicals provided would improve yield and prevent losses to pests and diseases.
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