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

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

Governor Okpebholo made the announcement during a meeting with farmers at the Iguoriakhi Farm Settlement in Ovia South West Area of Edo South. The initiative is a major part of the Okpebholo administration’s plan to revitalize agriculture in the state, with the goal of increasing food production not only for Edo residents but also for the wider nation and export markets.

In his address, Governor Okpebholo emphasized that the people of Edo are traditionally known for farming, and he pledged to revive farming to meet the growing demand for food. He assured that the ‘Back-to-Farm’ initiative would go beyond just words, with tangible results in the form of abundant food production.

“My administration is committed to providing the necessary incentives for farmers to produce food not just for Edo State but for the whole of Nigeria,” Okpebholo said. “We will provide you with fertilizers, mechanized farming equipment, and loans to ensure that farming becomes a prosperous and serious business. Together, we will produce the food needed to feed our people.”

The Governor further stated that farms would be established in all three senatorial districts of the state, bringing the “Back-to-Farm” initiative to the field rather than remaining a mere concept. He also emphasized that this was the right season for farming and expressed confidence that the initiative would result in a substantial boost to food production in Edo State.

Dr. Osagie Aibuedefe, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, also spoke at the event, highlighting the increased budget of over N70 billion allocated to agriculture. Dr. Aibuedefe assured farmers that this boost in funding would greatly enhance the support and incentives available to them.

In his speech, Mr. Benson Enahikare, the Vice President of the Farmers’ Association, raised some of the challenges farmers face, such as cattle encroachment that destroys crops. He urged the government to address these issues to ensure farmers can work without fear of losing their produce.

The Iguoriakhi Farm Settlement, where the meeting was held, covers 2,300 hectares of farmland and was originally established in 1963. The ‘Back-to-Farm’ initiative is expected to not only revitalize the settlement but also strengthen the agricultural sector across the entire state.