By Gbenga Ojikutu
Critical stakeholders in the agric sector of the economy in Ekiti State is set to discuss the prospects and challenges in ensuring food self-sufficiency in the face of the current global economic challenges.
This would be the topic of discussion in a roundtable discourse organized by a non-governmental organization, Ekiti Future Agenda.
The event which will take place in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday 31st, October this year.
The theme of the roundtable, according to the organizers is “Achieving Food Self-sufficiency and Improved Agricultural Production in Ekiti-the way out.”
Highlighting the objectives of the roundtable, the Convener of Ekiti Future Agenda, Adesina Adetola said; ”The event is designed to resourcefully engage the stakeholders in agricultural sector towards genuine development and growth of the entire economy while serving as a rendezvous of ideas and strategies in ensuring food sufficiency in the state.”
Continuing, Adetola said; “Agriculture has been in the news for a while, especially speaking about the current economic situation, where the sector has been considered as one of the surest to take people out of the prevailing economic doldrums. But as a people, we must take a pause and appraise the situation. This is by objectively evaluating the efforts of the government in this direction. Hence the need for relevant stakeholders from both the private and public sector to come to a roundtable to discuss a sustainable way forward.”
In the event which will be chaired by the State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwatife, the lead discussant is an agricultural science scholar and practicing farmer, Prof. Ayodele Fajinmi of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, while other discussants at the event include; Mrs. Oluyemisi Joluwe, of YSJ Limited, Mr. Adebola Alagbada, Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State Chapter, Mrs. Helen Oni of UH Farms and Foods Ltd , Mr. Oluwadamilare Bello of Esthermaris Farm and Mr. Mayowa Ekindayo of Raise a Farmer Initiative.
Ekiti Future Agenda (EFA), a nonpartisan and nongovernmental cross-generational organization, was founded in 2010 by eminent Ekiti sons and daughters with Adesina Adetola as the Convener to create a platform that will ensure the mobilization of people (primarily the youths), resources and opportunities at the disposal of Ekiti State to ensure a society that is well developed, self-sustaining and vibrant as well as a future that is brighter and abundantly rewarding. The EFA Roundtable is primarily a conversation on development of Ekiti State with the main aim of serving as a rendezvous of ideas and strategies towards development of the state in all areas.
