Firm debunks allegations of fraud over Ekiti’s agric scheme

…as youths laud success of project

The Management of YSJ Farms Limited,  a private agricultural company has denied allegations that it defrauded some youths in Ekiti State under the ‘Bring Back the Youths to Agriculture’ scheme of the present administration in the state.

The firm General Manager, Rotimi Omole described the allegations as misleading, false and distortion of the programme’s structure and operations.

Addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Omole said that the programme was established to address spiralling youths unemployment, and encourage sustainable participation in agri-business and not for exploitation.

He clarified that the sum of N100,000 paid last year by the participants who pioneered the scheme during its take-off phase in 2024 was a commitment fee approved by the management of the YSJ Farms.

The General Manager clarified that the fee was designed to ensure seriousness, and long-term commitment from pioneer participants who voluntarily enrolled at the formative stage of the Bring Back the Youths in Agriculture initiative.

Omole added that new participants were never required to pay any commitment fee, maintaining that participation in the programme is free of charge for the new intakes.

He noted that the commitment fee was limited to the pioneer participants alone and should not be misconstrued as a recurring charge or a  means of exploitation.

Addressing claims on the alleged non-remuneration, the General Manager stated that all payments to participants are strictly performance-based, noting that remuneration was determined by measurable outputs recorded at farm site, regularity of attendance and level of engagement. 

Omole added that the scheme operates a results-driven model referencing the recent distribution of N1 billion  profits last year, under which the beneficiaries are compensated in direct proportion to their productivity and engagement. 

He clarified that disparities in payments among participants were a reflection of differences in individual performance and participation levels, not favoritism or denial of entitlements.

He disclosed that  some  beneficiaries were paid as high as N1.5m, while others earned lower payments commensurate with their measurable contributions to the programme.

The GM noted that the payment structure was designed to encourage accountability, hard work, and sustainability, adding that the initiative rewards effort and results rather than mere participation.

Speaking, a cross-section of youths who participated in the ‘Bring Back Youths to Agriculture’ program have confirmed that the programme has added immeasurable value to their lives and lifted them out of poverty. 

The Bring Back Youths to Agriculture (BBYA) initiative focuses on training young entrepreneurs in agribusiness and generating profits from crop, with the aim of boosting youth employment and food security in the state.

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The youths, who spoke separately with journalists, including Temitope Fakolade, Funmilayo Akomolafe and Johnson Oladimeji confirmed that since the introduction of the initiative by YSJ in partnership with the Ekiti State Government, their lives have not remained the same.

According to the youths who came from across the councils of the state, the programme not only changed their financial stories but also opened their eyes to the great opportunities in agribusiness.

Reacting to a recent agitation by some youths who claimed they did not get commensurate benefits, the participants confirmed that those set of beneficiaries were those who showed truancy and less commitment to the programme because they believed it was free money. 

They confirmed that all their benefits were given to them in accordance with the profit made as contained in the terms and conditions for the programme, saying they got between four hundred thousand Naira to one point five million Naira per participant after the 2025 farming season.

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