Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated the determination of his administration to ensure unbridled chains of distribution of major food items to the citizens of the state all year round.

Governor Oyebanji disclosed this on Wednesday during the official commissioning of ‘Ounje Ekiti Retail Outlet’ and “Ilu Eye Aggregation Hub” in Ado- Ekiti, the State capital.

He added that the major concern of his administration is to fulfil the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on urgent need to grow the state out of hunger and poverty by ensuring that all food items consumed in Ekiti are produced within the State.

The Ilu Eye Agregation Hub, a registered company buys food commodities from farmers in the state and store, while the “Ounje Ekiti Retail Outlet” is to sell the food items to citizens at affordable prices.

Governor Oyebanji who confirmed that his government had expended over N50 billion in agribusiness since inception, said his vision is to turn Ekiti into the food basket of the nation through a food supply system and mechanism that will ensure food security as well as improve access to cheap food commodities.

The Governor said the initiative is a strategic step towards addressing persistent challenges in the agriculture sector, reduce adverse losses in effective food storage and inefficient market leakages. He added that the effort is part of the recommendation of the Ekiti State Food Security Committee, which was constituted to improve food supplies in the State.

Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji said the hub had already taken delivery of 750 metric tons of white beans, 239.167 metric tons of rice paddy, 101.54 metric tons of maize and 1,716 bags of garri all produced within Ekiti State and to be sold below market prices.

“The initiative is aimed at strengthening the food supply system, ensuring food security, and improving access to affordable food for residents of Ekiti State. The establishment of Ilu Eye Agro-Trading and Aggregation Company Limited is a strategic step towards addressing persistent challenges in the agricultural sector, particularly post-harvest loses, inadequate food storage and inefficient market linkages.

“This initiative is a direct outcome of the recommendation of the Ekiti State Food Security Committee, which was constituted under the leadership of Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Chairman and all members of the Food Security Committee for their diligence and professionalism in translating our vision into actionable outcomes. I’m also pleased to report that as of today, August 6, 2025, the Ilu Eye Aggregation Hubs have successfully aggregated the following food commodities from local producers and cooperatives within the state. They bought 715 metric tons of white beans, 239.167 metric tons of rice paddy, 101.54 metric tons of maize and 1,716 bags of garri all produced within Ekiti.

“This level of aggregation is a testament to the productive capacity of our farmers when supported with the right policies, infrastructure, and market assurance. It also marks a significant milestone in our efforts to reduce post-harvest losses and reposition agriculture as a viable economic pillar, for the state”, He stated.

Governor Oyebanji however noted that the retail outlet will service only households for their basic food intake at affordable prices. He emphasized that the intervention is structured to ensure equitable access as well as ensure strict control on the quantity of purchase per individual, zero tolerance for hoarding or diversion, and prevention of unbilled profit sharing as well as re-emergence of middlemen within the supply chain.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, had commended Governor Oyebanji for his efforts aimed at igniting development in the State, especially in the agriculture sector. He added that the two projects being commissioned signified the state’s journey to an affordable food system in the state as initiative will encourage farmers who now have ready markets for all their commodities.

Boluwade, who is also the Chairman of the State’s Food Security Committee affirmed that the initiative is not a palliative programne, but a programme structured to help prevent ridiculous price tags on food items that are produced during drought and peak season as well as reduce or prevent activities of middlemen who usually extort farmers. He disclosed that the State Government has also launched commodity price dashboard to aggregate prices for major markets.

Also, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr Akintunde Oyebode commended Governor Oyebanji for placing high premium on agriculture development, which speak to the Governor’s commitment to shared prosperity. He said he is confident that the initiative will put food on the tables of residents all year round and ensure that no Ekiti person goes hungry.

Also at the event were the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, members of the State House of Assembly, members of the state Executive Council; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo, Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi; heads of market associations and labour union leaders, among others.

President Bola Tinubu on Monday in Abuja declared that Nigeria’s agricultural renaissance has begun as he commissioned 2,000 tractors for nationwide deployment under the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme.

The commissioning ceremony marked the programme’s formal launch at the National Agricultural Seeds Council, Sheda, along the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agriculture sector by modernising farming practices and ensuring national food security.

He described the initiative as a landmark moment in his administration’s food security agenda and a crucial part of efforts to empower farmers and stimulate rural development.

“We are very proud of what we are doing. We made a promise when we came in. We are fulfilling that promise. Two years ago, I sounded the alarm on our nation’s food security crisis. I demanded immediate and innovative solutions. That, again, is answered today—this is the first phase of it.

“This government recognises that agricultural productivity is synonymous with national stability and food sovereignty. The ability to nourish our population forms the bedrock of a prosperous nation. Our ambition extends beyond mere self-sufficiency.

“We envision Nigeria as a global agricultural powerhouse—supplying quality produce to international markets while ensuring every citizen can access affordable, nutritious food.

“That’s why we took a bold decision to establish this new agricultural mechanisation programme. We are just beginning,” he said.

The President disclosed that the 2,000 tractors and accompanying implements would be distributed nationwide through a service-provider model to support smallholder farmers with access to modern equipment, reduce manual labour, and increase yields.

“We must seize this opportunity to achieve agricultural independence. Nigeria has the land, the people, and the tools. Let history recall this day as the beginning of Nigeria’s agricultural renaissance—where modern technology met our farmers’ legendary resilience to usher in greater prosperity,” he said.

The President acknowledged the contributions of international partners, especially the Republic of Belarus, which played a key role in procuring the equipment, transferring technology, and providing training support for Nigerians.

“We have friends across the world. We have Belarus committed to a programme that will empower our youth—teach them how to do things, get them off the streets, and empower them in technology, machinery, and fabrication,” he said.

President Tinubu paid special tribute to Alex Sigman, a Belarusian businessman and former classmate at the University of Chicago, for facilitating the collaboration.

“Alex was my very good neighbour and schoolmate in Chicago. Never did we dream that I would become President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Alex, a successful businessman from Belarus—working together to promote the prosperity of our two countries.

“I believe our university will be very proud that we are doing this here today,” he said.

President Tinubu commended the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for its proactive leadership in rolling out the programme and called for strict stakeholder accountability.

“To all stakeholders receiving this equipment, deploy it with maximum efficiency. We will work with you, supervise you, and hold you accountable,” the President stated.

President Tinubu urged Nigerians to take ownership of the agricultural transformation drive and contribute actively to achieving food sovereignty.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari recalled that on July 13, 2023, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security and issued a presidential directive for urgent and innovative solutions.

He noted that mechanisation was placed at the core of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The minister outlined four key initiatives launched under the Tinubu administration’s mechanisation policy, including the John Deere Tractorisation Programme, the Greener Hope Project, the Green Imperative Programme, and the newly launched 2000 tractors procured from Belarus.

According to him, the Belarus Project, implemented in collaboration with AfTrade DMCC and supported by the Republic of Belarus, delivered 2,000 high-quality tractors, 10 combine harvesters, 12 mobile workshops, 9,000 implements, and 9,000 spare part kits.

“Never in Nigeria’s history have we witnessed an agricultural mechanisation initiative of this scale, ambition, and national focus. We are today unveiling the single largest mechanisation drive ever undertaken in our country,” the minister said.

He added that the programme is expected to cultivate over 550,000 hectares of farmland, produce more than 2 million metric tons of staple food, create over 16,000 jobs, and directly benefit over 550,000 farming households.

Other programme components include mandatory operator training, GPS-enabled tracking for accountability, a structured repayment model, and pro bono equipment allocations to research and training institutions.

He further stated that the initiative will engage Nigeria’s youth through new roles in equipment handling, maintenance, logistics, extension services, and agri-tech innovation.

Viktor Karenkevich, Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, congratulated the Nigerian leader and the people of Nigeria for initiating a strategic and timely intervention to strengthen national food security.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Belarus’s President, Alexander Lukashenko, the deputy president described President Tinubu’s choice of Belarus as a trusted partner in the supply of agricultural machinery as a testament to the enduring friendship between the two countries.

He noted that Belarusian equipment is known for quality, affordability, and durability and is present in over 100 countries worldwide.

Karankevich recalled that both nations signed a roadmap agreement during the 2024 Belagro Exhibition in Minsk, setting the foundation for joint agricultural mechanisation efforts.

Today, Belarusian machinery begins to serve the people of Nigeria. This marks the first phase of a landmark bilateral project that has already elevated our cooperation to a new level.”

He confirmed Belarus’ readiness to move into the second and third phases of the programme.

He said the phases include establishing service and maintenance centres for Belarusian machinery in Nigeria, setting up local assembly plants for agricultural equipment, constructing grain storage complexes, and training Nigerians to operate and maintain advanced farming machinery.

“Agricultural mechanisation is just one example of our cooperation.

“It confirms the immense potential of Belarus–Nigeria relations, grounded in friendship, equality, mutual respect, and trust,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister echoed the words of President Lukashenko on Belarus’ approach to Africa, saying :

“We come to Africa as friends. We are ready to help you become masters of your land, to benefit your people, and to develop your industry, agriculture, science, and technology.”

Karankevich delivered a personal letter and official invitation from President Lukashenko to President Tinubu, inviting the Nigerian leader to visit Belarus at a future date.

Dignitaries present at the event included the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago; representatives of the Senate and House Committees on Agriculture; members of the National Assembly, farmers’ cooperatives, and development partners.

The Federal Government has released two new chicken breeds and 14 new high-yield crop varieties towards increasing agricultural production and improving the nutritional status of Nigerians.

The release of the new chicken breeds and the crop varieties were announced on Thursday during the 34th meeting of National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports

The Chairman, National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), Prof. Soji Olufajo, presided over the meeting attended by committee members as well as researchers, geneticists, scientists and breeders.

Olufajo explained that the registration and release of the two new chicken breeds and the varieties of seven crops were based on the recommendation of its two technical sub-committees.

He said the new chicken breeds are Noiler and Cobb 500, while the high-yield crops are wheat, barley, maize, caassava, rice Castor and conchorus.

NAN also reports that the technical sub-committee chaired by Prof. S. Ado during its 38th meeting on Tuesday deliberated on the 19 varieties received.

The sub-committee, after deliberation and consideration of the 19 submissions, recommended 14 varieties, which were put before the NVRC for final approval during the Thursday meeting.

In the same vein, the technical sub-committee during its 9th meeting on Wednesday deliberated on the two new chicken breeds received.

The sub-committee, chaired by Prof. Waheed Akin-Hassan, reported that the new chicken breeds – Noiler —- was a locally-developed dual purpose chicken while the Cobb 500 was a meat type chicken breed.

The two technical sub-committees thereafter on Thursday put their recommendations before the NVRC for final approval.

The NVRC, after exchange of ideas and proper scrutiny of the recommendations put before it, announced the registration and release of the 14 new crop varieties and the two new chicken breeds.

He emphasised that the two breeds were already in the hands of end users, such as poultry farmers, consumers and researchers, saying the release and registration of the breeds are to make it official.

In his remarks, the Director of NACGRAB, Dr Anthony Okere, expressed optimism that the release and registration of the crop varieties would enhance food sufficiency in the country.

Okere urged farmers to embrace the newly-released crops to enable them produce quality and quantity with little stress.

He equally commended the research institutions and other organisations which contributed towards the hosting of the meeting.