The farmers attributed the development to improved security measures by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, saying the situation had restored confidence among farmers and enabled them to resume agricultural activities.
President of the Integrated Farmers Association of Nigeria (IFAN) and Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhaji Bako Dogwo, disclosed this yesterday when farmers under the aegis of IFAN, AFAN and the State Federated FADAMA Farmers installed the Edo State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Jarrett Tenebe, as Patron of Edo farmers.
Dogwo commended the Okpebholo administration for its efforts to strengthen security across the state, saying the development had encouraged farmers who previously stayed away from their farms to return.
“Farmers who could not go to their farms before are now happy because they can access their farms and continue their farming activities,” he said.
He added that sustained improvement in security would increase food production and contribute to strengthening food security in the state.
Also speaking, a representative of the State Federated FADAMA Farmers, Hon. Prince Henry Ebole, commended Governor Okpebholo for his administration’s SHINE agenda.
Ebole pledged the support of farmers to the administration, stressing that farmers remained critical to food production and the creation of employment opportunities for youths.
He disclosed that about 2,000 farmers were currently registered under the Federated Farmers Community Association through the old FADAMA register.
“As of today, our records show that registered FADAMA farmers under the Federated Farmers Community Association are about 2,000 members.
“We will move from ward to ward to register and sensitise farmers and increase our numbers,” he said.
Ebole further disclosed that the association would mobilise farmers across the state to support the APC, describing farmers as an important constituency in Edo State.
Responding, Tenebe thanked the farmers for honouring him as their patron and pledged to support their activities.
He said his background as a farmer, as well as that of Governor Okpebholo, gave them a clear understanding of the importance of agriculture to the economy and food security.
“I am a farmer, the governor is a farmer as well, and he remembers where he is coming from.
“That was why when he came into office, he tackled security and ensured that the state was safe for farmers to return to their farms,” Tenebe said.
He stressed that sustained security was essential to enabling farmers to operate freely, expand production and contribute more significantly to the state’s food supply.
