Edo State Government is set to collaborate with PaxHerbal Clinic and Research Laboratory, Ewu to create Agricpreneurs and work out the modalities for putting resources together for farmers to take advantages of this rare opportunity provided.
The State’s Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki made this known, yesterday, while receiving a delegation of the clinic, led by its Director, Rev. Fr. Anselm Adodo at The Government House in Benin City, Edo State.
He noted that although the state had come up with different agricbusiness models, his administration is interested in the group’s initiative because they seem to have adopted a different and appealing model.
“Our administration has taken another view, departing from treating Agriculture like a social course, but like a business, assisting people to ensure they participate meaningfully and make profit from it. We go into business for profitability; otherwise, we can sustain it”, he said.
Meanwhile, the governor also noted that the state wants to employ other models that have worked in other parts of the world including leaning towards large-scale commercial farming.
In addition, Governor Obaseki said his administration was examining the group’s method of using organic materials, particularly ginger. He also added that his administration would like to collaborate with the group in the area of human capacity development.
This was as Rev. Adodo indicated the group’s willingness to collaborate with Edo State government in strategic poverty and unemployment eradication policies adding that they are capable of assisting the government to create job opportunities in the state.
“With your support, the first approved herbal malaria drugs can come from Edo State. We invite you to visit our facility and see what we are doing,” he said.
Governor Obaseki, in return, commended the group for its progress over the years in herbal medicine saying that he is impressed with the achievement made so far promising to visit them to see things for himself. “I will come and visit, I promise and I will do it within the next few weeks so that we can come and see for ourselves what you are doing”.
For his part, the leader of the delegation and Director of PaxHerbal Clinic and Research Laboratories, Ewu said the centre was founded over 20 years ago as a catholic centre for scientific cultivation, identification, utilisation and promotion of Nigeria’s medicinal plants.
He said the Clinic is the only herbal manufacturing company left in Nigeria that is locally producing its herbal medicine, despite the harsh economic climate, which supports the importer more than the manufacturer.
He, however, noted that the company cultivates its own herbs directly using the local and community farmers and having a staff strength of 120 with over 200 accredited local farmers and out growers.
