As part of efforts by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to attain food sufficiency, drive job creation and improve livelihoods, the Edo State Government has commenced tilling, harrowing, ploughing, among other preparations ahead of this year’s farming season in government-backed farm settlements across the state.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Programme Prince Joe Okojie, said the land preparation is in line with the state’s agripreneur programme, aimed at driving agricultural development through mechanized farming.
He said the harrowing and ploughing of farms across the state is being carried out ahead of boom spraying, noting, “All of these steps are being carried out to assist farmers improve their yields this year.”
“The support provided by the state government in the use of mechanised farm equipment under the Edo State Agripreneur programme will make farming attractive and less tedious for the farmers. This will also encourage farmers to scale from subsistence to commercial farming,” he added.
Okojie noted that in the first phase of the land preparation, over 180 hectares of land have been cleared in Usugbenu maize farm settlement, adding, “We are determined to clear more hectares before the boom sprayers will be deployed to the farms.”
The governor’s aide said similar steps have been taken at the Agenebode rice farm settlement ahead of the 2020 farming season.
He disclosed that in Illushi rice farm settlement, the state government has assisted the farmers in preparing over 142 hectares of land for cultivation.
