By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government has formally unveiled a new food tourism initiative tagged “From Farm to Factory to Table”, championed by indigenous agripreneur Otunba Isaac Anifowose, a native of Ayegbaju-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti state.
The initiative, which focuses on transforming local agricultural produce into processed foods, is positioned to boost youth employment and promote Ekiti’s indigenous cuisine.
Launching the products ‘FUSEM’ in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Ekiti State Director General, Bureau of Tourism Development, Amb. Barr. Wale Ojo-Lanre, expressed the government’s delight at the innovation demonstrated by Otunba Anifowose.
“Ekiti State Government is happy that a young man like Otunba Anifowose is coming up with this kind of initiative, and we must encourage him,” the DG said.
Otunba Anifowose, the first Mr Tourism Ekiti state, explained that the project evolved from his desire to create sustainable opportunities for young people.
According to him, his earlier program, Youth Cooperative of Poverty Alleviation Initiative (YCOP), focused on agriculture as a tool for empowerment. To expand impact, he established FUSEM, producers of fufu flour and plantain flour, as part of a wider effort to industrialize Ekiti and reduce unemployment.
“It is a production system from farm to the factory and to the table. What we are doing today is called food tourism,” he said.
“Since pounded yam (iyan) is Ekiti’s basic food, we felt we should introduce alternatives while maintaining our cultural identity. This is an indigenous production.”
Anifowose noted that his empowerment programs currently support about 135,000 youths, with plans to employ and empower at least 500 more youths in Ekiti within the next two to three years.
He acknowledged the state government’s support in clearing almost 140 hectares of farmland between last year and this year, which has boosted production capacity.
“This government has really tried, especially in tackling insecurity in farming areas,” he said.
However, he appealed to the government to extend support to the post-production stage by purchasing at least 50% of their produce, ensuring a stable market for farmers and processors.
As part of the new food tourism experience, Anifowose revealed a call-and-order service for ready-to-eat meals made from plantain flour or fufu, deliverable within 30 minutes anywhere in Ekiti.
Residents can also place orders for packaged sachets of fufu flour and plantain flour via call or WhatsApp using the dedicated number:
📞 +234 814 747 9488