Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has inaugurated the Back-to-Farm initiative aimed at boosting food production across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The announcement was made on Thursday during a meeting with local farmers at a community farm settlement in Ovia South West Local Government Area.
Governor Okpebholo described the initiative as an agricultural revolution, revealing plans to establish three farms in each senatorial district. He emphasized the government’s commitment to providing essential incentives for farmers to increase food production, benefiting both the state and the nation.
“Edo people are known for farming,” Okpebholo stated, assuring that his administration is dedicated to revitalizing agriculture in the region and facilitating the export of produce to other parts of Nigeria. He stressed that the initiative would be implemented practically, rather than remaining a theoretical concept, promising that Nigerians would reap the benefits of enhanced food production.
The governor pledged to supply farmers with vital resources, including fertilizers, mechanized farming equipment, and loans to support their agricultural 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,” he said.
He added, “It is 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.”
Additionally, Dr. Osagie Aibuedefe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, assured farmers that the increased budget of over N70 billion would significantly enhance incentives to support their farming efforts.
Earlier, Mr. Benson Enahikare, Vice President of the Farmers Association, highlighted some challenges faced by farmers, including the encroachment of cattle on farmland, as he read the President’s speech during the event.
The Back-to-Farm initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening the agricultural sector in Edo State, promising to engage farmers actively and improve food security in the region.
