By Samuel Igbavoa
In a bid to make Edo the hub of agriculture in the Country, Edo State Government has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to review its draft policy and ensure its effective implementation.
The Permanent Secretary in the State’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Peter Aikhuomoghogbe, disclosed this while addressing stakeholders at a Committee Meeting for the review of the policy in Benin City.
Mr. Aikhuomoghogbe, who was represented by the Director of Agricultural Services, Mr. Sunday Erhunmwonsere, assured members of the Committee that the policy document finalized during the program would be implemented and enjoined the Committee to commit to creating an enduring policy that will be effective and regarded as the best agricultural policy in the country.
Also in his address, the State Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Wellington Omoragbon, said: “We all know that for us to increase food production and food security in our State, we need a very good plan, and I want to also say that the agricultural policy is coming at the right time.”
He added that the policy would define the roles of the various stakeholders, including the State Government, Local Governments and private sectors which will help in monitoring and evaluating the new policy program.
He assured the Committee that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture was collaborating with the Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in the implementation of the policy.
Mr. Omoragbon also introduced to the Committee the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Afolabi Ernest Umakhihe, who is an indigene of Edo State.
While delivering his lecture, the Head of Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Prof. Reuben Adeolu Alabi, stressed the need to emulate developed countries’ agricultural policies and to learn from countries like Mozambique that is rich agriculturally, but faces setback in their agricultural policies.
He noted that Edo State is blessed and rich agriculturally, hence, the need for policies that are effective and workable to boost the State’s agriculture output to meet the international standard.
The Committee members made some recommendations, including the need to revamp the Cassava Factory in Uromi, the over 100 fish ponds in Irrua and Illushi, establish a cotton mill in Edo North, rice mill in Edo South, revive the co-operative banks, commodity board, and that more agricultural extension workers should be employed.
Prof. Reuben Adeolu Alabi urged the Committee not to over burden the Government with their recommendations, but urged it to create room for private investors to thrive.
Other participants at the meeting include the Program Manager, Edo ADP, Edward Izevbigie; State Coordinator on Policy GIZ SEDIN, Blessing Ajimoti, and the representative of the Executive Director, Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority, Engr. A.J. Mohammed.
