Okpebholo Launches ‘Back-To-Farm’ Initiative In Edo

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has launched the ‘Back-to-farm’ initiative to boost food production across the three senatorial districts of the state.

Governor Okpebholo made this known while meeting with farmers at the Iguoriakhi Farm Settlement in Ovia South West Area of Edo South.

The ‘Back-to-Farm’ initiative is an agricultural revolution in the state, as the Okpebholo administration plans to establish farms in the three senatorial districts, as well as provide farmers with the needed incentives to produce more food for the nation.

The Governor said that Edo people are known for farming, and assured the people that his administration will revive farming to produce food for Edo citizens, Nigeria, as well as export to other states and countries.

He assured that his ‘Back-to-Farm’ initiative will not just be on paper, but on the field, pledging that Nigerians will enjoy the benefits of abundant food production.

Okpebholo also promised that the farmers will receive incentives such as fertilizers, farm machineries for mechanised farming, as well as loans to enable them carry out the farming activities.

“I want to thank the farmers because they have been farming before, but this time, we will farm together. We want to produce food that will not only feed Edo State, but also feed Nigeria.

“It’s time for all of us to go back to the farm. Farming has become a very serious business and together we will produce the food and feed our people.

“My administration will provide you with equipment, fertilizers and support with resources to farm and produce food for the nation.

“We will have farms across the three Senatorial Districts of the State. This is the season to farm and we are embarking on farm initiative in Edo State,” Governor Okpebholo emphasised.

Also speaking during the meeting, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Osagie Aibuedefe assured farmers that with an increased budget of over N70 billion, farmers will greatly benefit from improved incentives to boost their farming activities.

Earlier, Vice President of the Farmers’ Association, Mr Benson Enahikare who read the President’s speech, outlined some of the challenges facing the farmers to include encroachment by cattle that destroy their crops.

The 2,300 hectares of farm land known as the Iguoriakhi Farm Settlement was established in 1963.