Food production: Okpebholo launches back-to-farm initiative

Determined to boost food production across the three senatorial districts of the state, Edo Governor, Monday Okpebholo has launched the back-to-farm initiative.

He disclosed this on Monday, while meeting with farmers at the Iguoriakhi Farm Settlement, in Ovia South West Local Government Area.

According to him, the back-to-farm initiative is an agricultural revolution through which his administration plans to establish farms in the three senatorial districts of the State, as well as provide farmers with the needed incentives to produce more food for the nation.

The Governor who noted that Edo people are known for farming, assured the people that his administration will revive farming across the state 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 and Nigerians will enjoy the benefits of abundant food production. Online newspaper subscriptions

Governor Okpebholo promised the farmers incentives such as fertilizers, farm machineries for mechanized 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 emphasized.

Also speaking during the meeting, the permanent secretary, 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, the 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 of cattles that destroy their crops.

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