A famous grassroot mobilization group for the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji - OYEBANJI STREET VANGUARD (OSV), has commended the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, his entire cabinet members especially the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security who doubles as the Chairman of Food Security Committee and the State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Rt. Honourable Aribasoye and the entire Ekiti State for the laudable and legacy-making efforts of the present administration in squarely and genuinely addressing the hydra-headed food inflation in our dear State, yesterday during the official commissioning of ‘Ounje Ekiti Retail Outlet’ and “Ilu Eye Aggregation Hub'.
The initiative, according to the amiable Governor, was as 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 and the Chairman.
In Nigeria, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in a recent release says, post-harvest losses are estimated to be around 50% of total agricultural produce. This translates to a staggering N3.5 trillion annually, which is roughly three times the country's five-year federal agricultural budgetary allocation of N1.13 trillion.
The losses however varies by crop type, with:
- Grains - 5-20% loss
- Fish - 20% loss
- Tubers, fruits, and vegetables - 50-60% loss
These losses are attributed to several factors, including, Inadequate storage facilities, i.e lack of proper storage infrastructure leading to spoilage and waste, poor handling practices, inefficient food processing methods etc, the factors this current administration is using its policies on Agriculture to address swiftly.
According to His Excellency, Governor Oyebanji during the historic commissioning, the "Ilu Eye Aggregation Hubs as first option off-taker have successfully aggregated 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.
"Ilu Eye Aggregation 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. This is massive and well thoughtful, to say the least.
In a statement released by the Convener of the group yesterday, he advocated for more and consistent improved budgetary allocation to the Agriculture and Food Security segment of the State for continuous funding of this laudable initiative to jump-start the economic growth of the State and ensure the replication of the programme in all our 16 Local Governments and 28 Local Council Development Areas.
However, the group urged all our retailers to key in and patronise this initiative of the State Government in arresting the hydra-headed food inflation cum high cost of living in our dear State and remember that it is in seamless continuation of a laudable program like this we can bannish poverty in our State.
Ekiti State can only get better with political stability, leading to economic growth built on continuity and consistency of policies like this.
One good term they say deserves another.
Signed:
HC Ade
The Convener, OSV
