By Gbenga Ojikutu
As part of the efforts to catalyse agricultural development in Ekiti State, the Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Prince Michael Ogungbemi, has led a high-level delegation of top management of the council to the Ekiti State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to discuss strategic ways at bolstering the productivity of farmers and create job for youths.
Present at the meeting were top career officers from the LCDA’s management team, including the Head of Local Government Administration, Head of Accounting Department, LCDA Agricultural Officer, and other notable officials.
The focus of the deliberations was centered on how Ajoni LCDA, which has the largest arable area in the state and hosting the State Special Agro Processing Zone (SAPZ), could form a collaborative alliance with the Ministry.
Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, who presided over the meeting, highlighted the Ministry’s five-point agenda for agricultural development in the state.
He explained areas of comparative advantage enjoyed by Ajoni LCDA and proposed practical ways for the two entities to collaborate.
Notably, the commissioner suggested replicating the successful Ekiti Youth in Agriculture Hub in Erifun within the LCDA, foreseeing a surge in job opportunities for the local youth.
A consensus was reached, leading to the formation of a working group tasked with outlining plans and delineating responsibilities for the realization of the collaboration.
Boluwade emphasized that Governor Biodun Oyebanji has mandated key MDAs, including Agriculture, to collaborate closely with local government councils and LCDAs in executing the administration’s shared prosperity agenda, recognizing their pivotal role at the grassroots level.
Chairman Prince Micheal Ogungbemi expressed gratitude to the Honourable Commissioner for his commitment to the meeting.
Ajoni LCDA had been notable for being on the forefront of achievements in the various sectors particularly in education and social welfare for the citizenry ever since the establishment of the council.
The Ekiti State Ministry of Agriculture and food security has also been one of the key areas holding forth success and achievements for the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
It is hoped that the partnership between these key entities would bring another landmark and remarkable milestone for the development of Ekiti State
