The Ekiti State Government has approved the payment of 50 percent counterpart funding to insure farmers across the state against climate-related disasters and other unforeseen agricultural risks. This move comes in response to the devastating losses suffered by farmers due to erratic weather patterns in the previous farming season.
According to the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, the approval positions Ekiti to participate in “The Africa 10 Million Climate-Resilient Farmers Initiative for 2025 Wet Season Farming.” The initiative, a national programme under the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), is coordinated through the Office of the Vice President.
The Commissioner described the fund as a strategic lifeline to farmers, especially in light of climate forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which anticipate possible shocks during the 2025 wet season. He said the intervention would act as a protective buffer for farmers against losses caused by floods, droughts, windstorms, excessive heat, pests, and plant diseases.
At the core of the insurance package is the “Area Yield Insurance Cover,” developed by a consortium led by Leadway Insurance and PULA Advisors. This cover is based on an Average Production History (APH) model, which uses historical yield data to determine compensation thresholds. If farmers’ yields fall below the benchmark stated in the contract, insurance payouts are triggered.
The initiative directly supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which positions agriculture as a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic recovery. It also aligns with the National Food Security Strategy, aiming to reduce hunger and boost rural livelihoods through sustainable agricultural policies.
Ekiti’s participation in this climate-focused programme also reflects the current administration’s broader commitment to agricultural development. The Commissioner reaffirmed the state’s role as a leading food-producing hub with fertile land and a dedicated farming population. He noted that the government has introduced targeted subsidies to reduce production costs, increase yields, and promote mechanized farming.
He urged farmers to take advantage of this new insurance programme by embracing best practices and climate-smart agriculture. “This administration has taken a bold step to safeguard farmers and secure the farming season. We call on all resilient farmers in the state to fully engage with this opportunity,” he said.
This insurance scheme and related support measures form part of the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji-led government’s shared prosperity agenda, which seeks to enhance food security and economic inclusion across Ekiti’s rural communities.
