The Integrated Farmers Association of Nigeria (IFAN) has said that security measures adopted by Governor Monday Okpebholo have enabled farmers to return to their farms across the state.
It said farmlands abandoned as a result of kidnapping were cultivated this year.
President of IFAN, Alhaji Bako Dogwo, disclosed this when farmers under the aegis of IFAN, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and State Federated FADAMA Farmers installed Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Jarrett Tenebe, as Patron of Edo farmers.
Alhaji Dogwo thanked Governor Okpebholo for improving security across the state, saying the development had boosted farmers’ confidence to return to their farms.
According to him, ‘Farmers who could not go to their farms before are now happy because they can access their farms and continue their farming activities.
‘The improved security will help boost food production and strengthen food security in the state.’
Representative of the State Federated FADAMA Farmers, Hon. Prince Henry Ebole, pledged support for farmers to Governor Okpebholo.
‘As of today, our records show that registered FADAMA farmers under the Federated Farmers Community Association are about 2,000 members.
‘These are farmers captured in the old FADAMA register. We will move from ward to ward to register and sensitise farmers and increase our numbers,’ he said.
Ebole also said the association would mobilise farmers to support the APC, adding that farmers constituted an important constituency in the state.
The Edo APC Chairman pledged to support farmers’ activities in the state.
He said both he and Okpebholo were farmers and understood the importance of agriculture to the economy and food security.
‘I am a farmer, the governor is a farmer as well, and he remembers where he is coming from.
‘That was why when he came into office, he tackled security and ensured that the state was safe for farmers to return to their farms,’ Tenebe said.
He said improved security was essential to enabling farmers to operate freely and increase food production.