
Ekiti State Government has commenced clearing 10hectares of land at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) for cluster farming in fulfillment of the strategy to boost food supply and create access to markets in 2024 using cluster based farming approach.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade who made this known in Ado Ekiti, explained that the move was consequent upon a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Faculty of Agriculture, EKSU.
Stressing that the State Government is undertaking the clearing operation free of charge to increase productivity and food production, Mr. Boluwade said the “focus is to enhance food security within the state and significantly allow smallholders to pool their resources together which would lead to increase in productivity.”
According to him, more than 30 clusters, with an average of 20hectares each, would be created within the next 6 weeks across all the Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.
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Recalling that the State Government initiated the idea of cluster farming to enhance food security and make farming attractive to youths, Boluwade said that “cluster farming would also engender proper coordination and collaborations that would make marketing products less stressful. It will similarly reduce transaction costs as well as lower information asymmetries and improve bargaining power.
“The State Government is undertaking this heavy lifting operation free of charge to increase productivity and food production and I can assure you that more than 30 clusters will be created within the next 6 weeks. We are opening up about 500 to700hectares before the rain starts. After the rain, we continue
“This cluster located inside Ekiti State University (EKSU) land is a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Faculty of Agriculture, EKSU.”
He solicited the continued support of all stakeholders for efforts of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to boost food security and make life more meaningful for all and sundry in the State.