By Newsmata
In its avowed commitment to guarantee food security amid soaring food prices, the Edo State government has started the cultivation of 3,000 hectares of farmlands across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Already, in this year’s farming season, it has commenced the cultivation of 60 hectares (148 acres) in Iguoriakhi, Ovia South-West Local Government Area in Edo South senatorial district.
The move by Edo State Government is the first phase of the back-to-farm project of Governor Okpebholo, whose administration has keyed into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, part of which is food sufficiency for the nation.
Governor Okpebholo was taken on an inspection tour of the farm settlement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Osagie Peter.
After inspecting the farm, the governor noted that his administration would replicate the farm settlement in Edo Central and Edo North to ensure food sufficiency in the state.
According to Governor Okpebholo, “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 we produce food for our people.
“We have cleared large numbers of hectares of land and 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.”
The Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Agriculture, noted that about 250 farm heads would benefit from the first phase of the project.
He noted that the government’s 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’s 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 tractorization. By the time we are through with the tractorization, 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.
“I welcome you to the farm for you to see how far we have gone as there is still some work left in the tractorization before our farmers can come here and we will give them seeds as promised so that they will be able to produce food for the people of Nigeria. We will start the planting with inter crops, maize, and cassava.”
The Governor and his entourage also visited the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority Integrated Farm at Obayantor in Ikpoba-Okah Local Government Area, Edo South, in Edo State.