Improved security across Edo State has enabled farmers to return to their farms, raising prospects for increased food production and stronger food security across the state, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has said.
Bako Dogwo, President of the Integrated Farmers Association of Nigeria (IFAN) and Chairman of AFAN in Edo, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin, saying farmers who previously stayed away from their farms due to insecurity were now regaining confidence to resume cultivation.
Dogwo spoke when farmers under IFAN, AFAN and the State Federated FADAMA Farmers installed the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Jarrett Tenebe, as Patron of Edo farmers.
He commended Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration for its security efforts, which he said had improved farmers’ access to their farms across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
‘We want to commend Gov. Monday Okpebholo for improving security across the state. Farmers who could not go to their farms before are now happy because they can access their farms and continue their farming activities,’ Dogwo said.
He said the return of farmers to their farms would contribute to increased agricultural output and help strengthen food security in Edo.
: NDDC stresses need for sustainable partnerships to develop Niger Delta
Dogwo urged Tenebe to use his new position to bridge the gap between farmers and the state government, particularly in addressing challenges affecting agricultural production.
Also speaking, Hon. Prince Henry Ebole, representing the State Federated FADAMA Farmers, pledged farmers’ support for the Okpebholo administration and commended its SHINE agenda.
Ebole said agriculture remained critical to food supply and youth employment, adding that about 2,000 FADAMA farmers were currently captured in the association’s existing register.
He said the association would commence ward-to-ward registration and sensitisation of farmers to expand its database and bring more farmers into organised agricultural programmes.
‘As of today, our records show that registered FADAMA farmers under the Federated Farmers Community Association are about 2,000 members. We will move from ward to ward to register and sensitise farmers and increase our numbers,’ he said.