Management of YSJ Farms Limited, an agricultural firm in Ekiti State, has strongly refuted allegations of defrauding young beneficiaries under the state's high-profile Bring Back the Youths to Agriculture programme. The denial comes amid claims that the company illicitly collected money from participants during the sharing of N1 billion in profits to thousands of youths.
Background of the Empowerment Initiative
Recall that in December 2025, the Ekiti State Government, in collaboration with YSJ Farms, disbursed a total of N1 billion to 4,657 beneficiaries. This initiative was launched to tackle youth unemployment and stimulate economic growth by engaging young people in commercial agriculture. The programme established no fewer than 11 cluster farms across the state, providing comprehensive support including training, seeds, fertilisers, modern farming equipment, and access to markets.
The Allegations and the Firm's Rebuttal
Some participants, however, have raised accusations, claiming that YSJ Farms management defrauded them under the guise of the 'Bring Back Youths to Agriculture Empowerment Programme' by allegedly collecting N100,000 from each of them.
Addressing these claims in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, the firm's General Manager, Rotimi Omole, described the allegations as "misleading, false, and a distortion" of the programme's actual structure. He emphasised that the scheme was created to combat spiralling unemployment and encourage sustainable agribusiness, not for exploitation.
Omole provided a crucial clarification regarding the N100,000 fee. He explained that this sum was a commitment fee paid only by pioneer participants who voluntarily enrolled during the programme's take-off phase in 2024. This fee was approved by YSJ Farms' management to ensure seriousness and long-term dedication from those early entrants.
Performance-Based Payments and Programme Structure
The General Manager was emphatic that new participants are never required to pay any fee, and their participation is entirely free of charge. He stressed that the pioneer fee was a one-time measure and should not be misconstrued as a recurring charge or a tool for exploitation.
Responding to claims of non-payment, Omole outlined the programme's strictly performance-based remuneration model. He stated that all payments to beneficiaries are determined by measurable outputs recorded at farm sites, regularity of attendance, and overall level of engagement.
"The scheme operates a results-driven model," Omole said. "Beneficiaries are compensated in direct proportion to their productivity and engagement."
He disclosed that payment disparities among participants were a direct reflection of individual performance, not favouritism. Some high-performing beneficiaries received payments as high as N1.5 million, while others earned lower amounts commensurate with their measurable contributions.
Omole concluded that this payment structure was intentionally designed to promote accountability, hard work, and the sustainability of the agricultural initiative, ensuring it rewards tangible effort and results rather than mere participation.
