…….Distributes Free Cassava Tubers to Support Livelihoods.
FIC REPORT (EDO STATE) – The Office of the Edo State First Lady has recorded a significant breakthrough in agricultural production following a bumper harvest of cassava from its Model Skills Acquisition Farming Programme, reinforcing the State Government’s efforts to strengthen food security and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for residents.
The impressive harvest was recorded at the First Lady’s demonstration farm in Uteh, where cassava tubers harvested from the farm were distributed free of charge to women and male farmers across Edo State.
The Initiative, which is designed to promote agricultural empowerment, support smallholder farmers and enhance household income, attracted commendation from beneficiaries, women groups, farmers’ associations and community leaders, who applauded the Office of the First Lady and the Edo State Government for the intervention.
Representing the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, at the exercise, the Chief Protocol Officer, Office of the First Lady and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Mrs. Mabel Obetoh, recalled that the Coordinator had, in the previous year, distributed agricultural inputs, including cassava stems, to women farmers across the State and members of the Integrated Farmers Association of Nigeria (IFAN).
She explained that the agricultural empowerment programme was established to equip women and other farmers with the resources and knowledge required to engage in productive farming, increase food production and improve their economic wellbeing.
According to her, the massive cassava yield recorded at the demonstration farm had demonstrated the enormous potential of agriculture as a tool for tackling food insecurity and improving livelihoods when farmers have access to quality inputs and appropriate agricultural practices.
“You can see how bountiful the cassava harvest is. We thank her for giving us this opportunity to empower women with cassava that they will process into akpu, garri, tapioca, flour and other products to earn income for their homes,” she said.
Obetoh further disclosed that members of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs had earlier visited the demonstration farm and commended the agricultural initiative, particularly its focus on improving food production and strengthening the economic capacity of women.
She stressed that the level of production achieved at the farm underscored the possibilities that exist within Edo State’s agricultural sector, noting that increased productivity across farms could significantly reduce hunger and food insecurity in the State.
“If all farmers were producing at the level of this farm, there would be no hunger in Edo State,” she noted.
The Coordinator reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government to supporting women and smallholder farmers through sustained provision of agricultural inputs, capacity-building opportunities and improved access to markets.
She said the initiative was consistent with the administration’s broader agenda of promoting food security, agricultural development, women’s economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods for the people of Edo State.
Speaking on behalf of the Integrated Farmers Association of Nigeria, its President, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Bako Ebiredelu Dogwo, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for creating a platform through which women and smallholder farmers could benefit directly from agricultural empowerment programmes.
Dogwo disclosed that, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and following the directive of the Coordinator, the entire cassava harvest from the demonstration farm would be distributed free of charge to farmers as part of efforts to alleviate poverty and support agricultural production.
He explained that the quality of the cassava stems and the treatment method adopted before planting contributed significantly to the high yield recorded on the farm.
“The stems for this cassava were sourced from Ibadan and wet-treated. That accounts for the remarkable yield you see today,” he explained.
He commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for creating an enabling environment for agricultural development in the State, while also acknowledging the role of the Office of the First Lady in promoting initiatives that directly benefit women, farmers and vulnerable members of society.
The beneficiaries described the distribution of the cassava tubers as timely and impactful, saying the intervention would provide them with an opportunity to increase their agricultural activities and generate additional income for their families.
Among the beneficiaries, Mrs. Grace Ehinomen, Mrs. Tawa Bayefine, Mr. Friday Ebhomen, Pastor Igberase Monday and Mrs. Esumeh Uche expressed appreciation to the Office of the First Lady for making the cassava available to farmers at no cost.
They said the tubers would not only serve as food but would also be processed into a variety of finished products, including garri, akpu, flour and tapioca, thereby creating opportunities for income generation and small-scale agro-processing.
The beneficiaries also highlighted the wider economic value of cassava, noting that virtually every part of the crop could be put to productive use.
According to them, cassava peels could be processed or used as livestock feed, while the stems could be replanted to expand production, making the crop particularly valuable to smallholder farmers.
They said sustained implementation of the agricultural empowerment programme could contribute substantially to reducing food insecurity, creating employment and addressing some of the socioeconomic conditions that could expose young people to crime and other social vices.
The beneficiaries therefore called on the Office of the First Lady and the State Government to sustain and expand the initiative across Edo State, particularly by providing more farmers with improved planting materials, training and access to markets.
They pledged their continued support for the administration and urged other stakeholders to collaborate with the government in strengthening agriculture as a major pillar of food security and economic development.
The bumper cassava harvest and subsequent free distribution, they said, demonstrated the potential of targeted agricultural interventions to translate government policies into tangible benefits for ordinary Citizens.
The initiative is expected to further complement the Edo State Government’s efforts to increase agricultural productivity, empower women economically, strengthen household livelihoods and ensure that residents have greater access to locally produced food.
By Aisha Sambo
Principal Information Officer, FIC Benin.
September 9th, 2026.
