This will promote greater humans to take to farming in the general attract to of the country,” Babalola said.
As portion of his encouragement for farmers, Babalola presented cash rewards to outstanding farmers from the varied area government areas of the declare at the event.
The entire optimal farmer in Ekiti Situation received the star prize of N2m, although the ideal three farmers in each of the 16 area government areas received N350,000 in complete, broken down into N200,000 for primary place, N100,000 for second and N50,000 for third.
In addition, two youths from each of the 16 community government areas, who were trained in plantain chips production, packaging and marketing under the Afe Babalola Youth Empowerment programme, received equipment to launch the organization, courtesy of the ABUAD Chancellor.
The ABUAD founder advised the winners to “put finance into whatever you win wisely and judiciously, bearing in mind that the richest humans in the world at present started from nothing”, during the time that urging the youths to create the ideal of the training and equipment they had received to polish their lives.
The Oore of Otun Ekiti and Paramount Ruler of Mobaland, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, hailed the ABUAD Chancellor for the annual agricultural expo and his unchanging encouragement of farmers.
The Oore, who expressed happiness over Babalola’s gestures towards farmers and youths, said, “We are remarkably happy and grateful to the elder statesman and excellent son of Ekiti Status, Aare Afe Babalola, for consistently encouraging farmers to be their leading in all they do, thereby impacting on the complete economy of the nation”.
Oba Adeagbo, who stressed the role of agriculture in development and nation-building, said, “Food security is key to a wealthy and healthy nation. It is practicable, and it is achievable. Lacking healthy and renewed food, one’s capacity to complete effectively in whatever field will decrease.
“Availability of healthy food provided by the area farmers will go a enduring path to raise the economic capacity of our dear country, Nigeria,” the frontline monarch said.
The Oore moreover lauded Babalola for promoting up-to-date agricultural practices in the midst of farmers in the declare by route of the expo, describing this year’s theme, ‘AI for every farmer: Farming smarter, producing additional and earning preferable’, as apt.
He congratulated the youths for benefiting from Babalola’s gesture and advised them to use the equipment effectively to perfect their livelihoods and effect others.
The monarch additionally congratulated the leading farmer and other prize winners, as well as the farmers whose produce was displayed at the expo.
The ABA-EX Regional Organising Committee Chairman, Prof Abiodun Ojo, hailed Babalola, saying his commitment to the annual expo “over the years has transformed it from an agricultural exposition to a powerful platform for recognition, encouragement, empowerment and sustainable agricultural development.
“Your generosity towards our farmers and our young individuals is a demonstration of your persistent assumption in the capacity of the humans of Ekiti Status to prosper across agriculture and enterprise,” Ojo said.
The Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, has announced plans to establish an Ekiti Farmers’ House to offer big-scale and powerful contemporary farming in the declare.
Babalola disclosed this in Ado Ekiti on Saturday at the 2026 Afe Babalola Agricultural Expo, alongside the theme, ‘AI for every farmer: Farming Smarter, producing further and earning preferable’, where farmers from the 16 regional government areas of the status showcased their farm produce.
He said the annual agricultural expo, which began in 2015, was founded on his vision of making agriculture ordinary and acceptable as a noble profession, notably against the backdrop of some individuals abandoning farming for white-collar and menial jobs.
The ABUAD founder, who is moreover a farmer, appreciated farmers in the country and Ekiti Situation for forging ahead despite challenges linked together with farming in Nigeria, including kidnapping, robbery and herdsmen invasion.
He said, “The proposed Ekiti Farmers’ House will have a secretariat which will be encouraging members for meetings and allies’ matters.
“In addition, and in association using the status government and the 16 regional government areas of the status, the Farmers’ House will purchase current farm implements including ridgers, ploughs and harvesters which the Ekiti Farmers’ House will be renting to farmers at low rates.
“By method of this scheme, farmers will be able to engage agricultural implements from the community government to participate in sizeable-scale and productive current farming.
“This manner, Nigerians, particularly our youths and university graduates, will imbibe renewed agriculture. It is achievable.
