Edo State Government has started cultivation of 3,000 hectares of farmlands across the three Senatorial Districts as part of its measures to guarantee food security in the state.
Currently, the state has commenced cultivation of 60 hectares of farm land in Iguoriakhi, Ovia South West local government area in Edo South Senatorial District.
The is the first phase of the ‘Back to Farm’ project of Governor Monday Okpebholo, whose administration has keyed into President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for food sufficiency for the nation.
Okpebholo was taken on an inspection tour of the farm settlement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Osagie Peter.
The governor after inspecting the farm, noted that his administration will replicate the farm settlement in Edo Central and Edo North to ensure food sufficiency in the State.
He explained that his administration was keying into the Federal Government’s plan to feed the nation with the initiative, assuring the farmers of his administration’s support to ensure adequate food production during this year’s farming season.
“We have embarked on our drive to embrace agriculture, which we will use to grow and develop Edo economy. This is the second time I have entered the bush for the purpose of ensuring that we produce food for our people.
“We have cleared large numbers of hectares of land as we are ready to clear more. We will clear about 3,000 hectares as we have embarked on the first stage. We will still have similar farm settlements in Edo Central and Edo North.
“We are ready to farm, and we are not going back in line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is part of feeding the nation. We have keyed into the agenda. As far as Edo State is concerned, it is back to the farm.”
For his part, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Peter noted that about 250 farm heads will benefit from the first phase of the project.
He noted that the Iguoriakhi Farm Settlement, with about 2,300 hectares of farmlands, already has a significant portion allocated to permanent crops, such as palm and rubber trees.
“Welcome to Government’s Iguoriakhi Farm Settlement. It was acquired in 1962, and it’ is 2,350 hectares. The great part of it has been dedicated to permanent crops, including oil palm and rubber.
“We have already cleared about 60 hectares (148 acres), ready for tractorisation. By the time we are through with the tractorisation, about five hectares will be given to a farm group. This place will be able to accommodate 250 active farm heads, and it will guarantee food security in Edo South and beyond,” he said.
