Edo State Government has flagged off the farming season and the distribution of Agricultural Assets and farm inputs to farmers in Edo Central Senatorial District of the State.
The flag-off ceremony which took place at Irrua, the administrative headquarters of Esan Central Local Government Area, had farmers from Esan North-East, Esan- South-East, Esan West, and Igueben Local Government Areas in attendance.
Agricultural inputs and assets were distributed under EDO FADAMA CARES Result Area Two Programme.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and food security, Hon. Stephen Idehenre in his address, thanked and appreciated the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghse Obaseki for his visionary leadership and Agricultural Policies that have impacted positively on farmers in the State
While Flagging Off the farming season and distribution of assets and farm inputs to farmers, he reiterated that the initiative was aimed at supporting over 12,000 small holder farmers across the State.
He further stated that farmers in the State have been empowered with inputs, essential farm kits, vaccines, cassava stems and poultry feeds to weather the challenges posed by covid-19 pandemic and emerge stronger than ever.
A total number of 471 farmers across the five LGAs in Edo Central Senatorial District benefited from the inputs distributed.
Inputs distributed included 9,000 bundles of cassava stem cuttings, 2,115kg of pre and post emergence herbicides, 801 bags of NPK fertilizers, 141 bags of urea, 25 multi purpose grinding machines and two tricycle carts.
“In this programme,our target is to empower 4,179 farmers with farm inputs and services ranging from improved crop seeds, cassava cuttings, fertilizers, agro chemicals, fingerlings, day old chicks, animal feeds, fish feeds, as well as extension/ advisory services.
“Another 3,441 farmers are to be empowered with irrigation facilities to enhance all year farming and rehabilitation of feeder roads for easy farm access.
” The programme is also targeting 4,875 farmers to benefit from cassava and rice processing mills, motorised sprayers, cold rooms, multi purpose grinding machines, feathering Machines and tricycles.
“The programme has also engaged in the upgrading of wet markets by providing water reticulation points, renovation of toilets and establishment of boreholes and overhead tanks.The target is 59 markets across the three senatorial district of Edo State.
According to him, Edo FADAMA CARES programme has implemented over 75% of its targets across the 18 Local Government Areas.
“In Edo State one of our MEGA agendas, is to make the state food sufficient by locally growing and processing our own food to promote food security, as well as provide job opportunities in the state.
“Today as a fellow up, the state government is empowering 471 small holder farmers in Edo Central Senatorial District with all the farm inputs and assets.
As a government, we will continue to ensure that we provide all the farm inputs needed to make the 2024 farming season a success.
Earlier, in his welcome address,the State Project Coordinator, Dr. Edward Izevbigie said the inputs and assets were hybrids varieties that would guarantee high yields for the farmers.
He disclosed that 160 bags of fertilizers, 1,981 bundles of cassava stem cuttings, 48 bags of urea, 300 litres of herbicides and 400kg of maize seeds have been allocated to each of the five local government areas.
He also explained that 15 grinding machines and one tricycle were allocated to Igueben Local Government Areas, Esan West was allocated 10 grinding machines, while Esan Central LGA got one tricycle in addition to other farm inputs distributed.
In his remarks the chairman of Esan Central Local Government Council, Hon.John Iyoha who thanked the Governor on behalf of the farmers promised to set up a monitoring team to ensure that the farm inputs were well utilised. Adding that, this is the first time the whole Esan land is witnessing this kind of large scale input distribution, stating that it has never happened.
“We thank the Governor, Godwin Obaseki for fulfilling his promises to Esan people.
Highpoint of the ceremony, was the flagging off and presentation of farm inputs and assets by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Stephen Idehenre to the farmers.
In an interview with the pressmen, Mr. John Okosun a farmer in Esan Central local government, appreciated the State Government and Edo FADAMA CARES for the provision of Agricultural farm inputs and assets. He said he was elated and promised to make judicious use of the inputs for the year farming season.
Francisca Okojie
Media Officer
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
