FIC Report (Edo State) – The Edo State Government has reassured farmers in the state of its support to cultivate rice, maize, soya beans and cassava on 10,000 hectares of farmland across the state, as part of commitment to boost food security and create wealth for farmers.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Programme, Mr. Joe Okogie, said this during an interview with journalists in Benin City.
He stressed that the state government will in the 2020 farming season, support farmers across the three senatorial districts.
Mr. Okogie further noted that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration has continually assisted farmers to go into commercial-scale farming so as to fortify the industrial base in the state, adding that the state government has assisted farmers to convert from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
He said the farmers are happy about this development, as well as the improved food security programme in the state. According to him, “We were able to harvest over 200 metric tons of rice paddy in the last year”.
The governor’ aide added that the state government will continue to provide enabling environment to encourage private investors to participate in the state’s agriculture sector.
Funmi Imuetinyan
FIC Benin
