News in brief:
– The Ekiti State government, AgroMall, and EKSU have launched The Agricultural Option (TAO) initiative to boost food security.
– It will promote economic growth through hands-on agricultural training to contribute ₦40 billion annually to the economy.
The Ekiti State government has partnered with AgroMall and Ekiti State University (EKSU) to launch The Agricultural Option (TAO) initiative.
According to the CEO of AgroMall, Adefemi Adeniyi, the TAO Agricultural Cluster will help address critical issues such as youth unemployment, low economic growth, and food security in Nigeria.
“TAO is excited to partner with EKSU and the Ekiti State Government on this innovative project,” said Mr Niyi Ojuolape, the Chairman of AgroMall, who is the principal promoter of TAO. “We believe that this project will have a transformative impact on our students, our university, and our state.”
This three-year program aims to cultivate young agricultural entrepreneurs and boost food security through hands-on learning and practical experience.
To support this endeavour, TAO is securing 5,000 hectares of land near the tertiary institution through the support of the state government. This location choice is strategic as it will enable the seamless integration of agricultural students into production activities, providing them with valuable hands-on experience and preparing them for successful careers in commercial agriculture within the state.
The visionary project targets building vibrant agricultural communities across Nigeria. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and skill development, it is creating a sustainable model for agricultural production and economic empowerment.
Key pillars of this programme include:
- Modern Agriculture: Implementing advanced farming techniques and technologies to maximise productivity and efficiency.
- Food Processing: Establishing state-of-the-art processing facilities to add value to agricultural products and create new markets.
- Community Development: Empowering local communities through job creation, infrastructure development, and social initiatives.
- Commerce: Facilitating access to markets and promoting fair trade practices for agricultural products.
- Education: Providing comprehensive training and skill development programs for young people in the agricultural sector.
This program will not only improve their skills but also offer financial benefits of up to ₦2 million per annum, that can go into tuition or other needs, empowering them to become successful agricultural entrepreneurs, and improving young people’s interest in agriculture.
The benefits of this project extend beyond the students. EKSU will benefit from the research and development aspects of the program, which will inform curriculum improvement and enhance the university’s reputation as a centre of excellence in agricultural education and national economic development.
Furthermore, the TAO Agricultural Development Cluster will contribute significantly to Ekiti State’s food security and economic prosperity, with an annual economic activity level of about 40 billion Naira. By promoting agricultural development, the project will increase food production, reduce poverty, and create employment opportunities for the youth.
In his remarks, Governor Abiodun Oyebanji said the groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a new era in agricultural development in Ekiti State. He added, “We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of this project on our community”.
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The Vice Chancellor of EKSU, Professor Joseph Ayodele further reiterated the positive and transformative impact of the initiative at the school and its potential for national agricultural and economic development.
“This is a further testament to our focus on delivering EKSU’s vision of producing graduates that are adequately equipped to handle contemporary socioeconomic and environmental challenges, as [it] will be an additional effort towards solving some of Nigeria’s most pressing socioeconomic challenges of youth unemployment, low economic growth and food security,” Ayodele mentioned.
Excellent initiative. Thank you Ekiti State for hosting us!