Y- COOP Seeks Government Assistance to Boost Food Security in Ekiti State
Tosin Anifowose, the brains behind the Youth Cooperating Out of Poverty (YCOOP) and Raising Millionaire Farmers initiative has reached out to the Ekiti State Government, urging collaboration to enhance food security initiatives in the region.
Anifowose stressed the importance of aligning his ambitious project with Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s vision for agricultural revitalization in the state.
Anifowose, who initiated the project in 2014, highlighted its focus on tackling unemployment,food security and curb youth engagement in vices through agriculture as part of the Youth Cooperation Out of Poverty Initiative (Y-COOP).
He outlined the project’s early achievements, including the acquisition of land in several local governments, aimed at empowering youth and boosting agricultural productivity.
However, Anifowose mentioned persistent challenges, such as high interest rates on loans and limited access to finance, hindering the project’s progress.
He lamented that despite recent momentum gained through support from a micro finance company in 2020,the challenges still persisted including high rate on loans and limited access to finance. He explained that due to the structured process of accessing these one- digit loans as been assessed in the north there was need for the state government to support.
Anifowose maintained that the prerequisite documents for the initiative including cash flow since 2014 and others are intact, also there is a ready market for all the produce.
In response, Mary Oso Omotoso, Director-General of Community Communications, acknowledged the significance of Anifowose’s initiative in advancing the state’s agricultural agenda.
She affirmed the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural development and encouraged Anifowose to submit a detailed proposal for further consideration.
Omotoso reiterated the government’s dedication to ensuring food security and prosperity for all in Ekiti State, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts between stakeholders and government agencies.
As Anifowose seeks government support to propel the Millionaire Farmer Project forward, the prospect of partnership offers a promising avenue for realizing the state’s agricultural aspirations.
