The Ekiti State Government on Tuesday said each of the 16 local government councils had been told  to cultivate 1,000 acres of farmland to stimulate economic growth.

The newly appointed Executive Chairman of the State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Ranti Adebisi, said this  in Ado-Ekiti at his maiden press briefing.

Adebisi said  the policy of engaging citizens in agricultural activities would boost food production and complement the Federal Government’s  effort  at  attaining  food security.Besides, he explained that the programme would stem the tide of redundancy among staff and reduce unemployment in the state.

According to him, the scheme was part of government’s  strategy to reposition the councils for optimum performance.

“We have to make adequate use of all our staff, especially those at  out stations;  henceforth, all our degree holders, especially those with bias for agriculture  courses,  will be made to work as supervisors.”