Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continue to invest in agriculture to foster rapid development of the state, saying a strategy has been developed to position the state as a viable investment destination for agro-investors and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
He spoke in Ado Ekiti while inaugurating the Ekiti State Livestock Production Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project office, vehicles and motorcycles.
Oyebanji said the programme is part of his administration’s agenda to drive innovative ideas and food security vision and commitment to agriculture development, particularly the livestock sector in the state.
“This milestone marks a significant step in our administration`s commitment to agriculture development, especially the livestock subsector and effective extension services in the state. Our government supported the implementation of the L-PRES project because of its potential to enhance the already existing livestock value chains in the state.
“It is aimed at improving the productivity and commercialization of targeted livestock production systems and strengthening the resilience of livelihoods, including those affected by farmer-herder conflicts.”
He said the suitability of Ekiti State is further premised on the enormity of the available livestock facilities and land in the State.
“The state will leverage strategically on L-PRES to build strong institutions around agro-economic development, conflict resolution and grievances redress, capacity building, massive extension services, construction/renovation of livestock infrastructures and help to facilitate working capital to investors”.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, thanked Governor Oyebanji for supporting the state in the L-PRES project and for his commitment to implementing it.
Boluwade, who said Ekiti has met all the requirements for implementing the programme, listed some of the requirements as “clearance to implement the Annual Work Plan and Budget for the year 2024 had been given by the World Bank after being reviewed and approved by both the state Technical Committee and Steering Committee.”