By Hope Uwaifo
Farmers have been advised to embrace innovations, best practices and take advantage of the support by the government and relevant bodies, to increase their produce.
The Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Jerry Uwangue gave the advice in Benin city during the inauguration of the 2026 Farming season in the state.
The event attracted key stakeholders across the agricultural value chain, private sector operators as well as various farming groups in Edo state.
The Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Jerry Uwangue explained that the event was part of efforts to reaffirm the importance of land preparation and effective use of modern farming inputs such as improved seedlings and mechanized equipment to boost food production.
Dr. Uwangue pointed out that the initiative aligned with the Edo state government SHINE agenda of ensuring food sufficiency, economic growth and making life more meaningful for the people.
” The event is reaffirmation of the current administration’s commitment to agriculture indicating the state government resolve to reposition the sector for food security, economic growth and shared prosperity for Edo people,” he said.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo called on farmers to continue to justify the government’s investment in agriculture .
The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Musa Ikhilo, said his Administration remained committed in strengthening the agriculture sector.
In a lecture entitled “Strengthening Agricultural systems for food security in Edo state”, a former Permanent Secretary, Mr. Sunday Erhunmwonsere highlighted some challenges of Agriculture in the state to include low productivity, high post harvest losses, limited access to credit facilities and insecurity.
Mr. Erhunmwonsere called for Public, Private and Community Partnership, expansion of rural infrastructure, strengthening market links, improved transportation and storage to develop the value chain and reposition the sector.
There were goodwill messages from various farm groups including women in Agriculture, All farmers Association of Nigeria, FADAMA and Cocoa Research Institute.
The program featured an exhibition of agricultural produce by various farm groups and some farmers were gifted items.
The items include smoking kiln, gas cylinders, knapsack sprayers, knapsack mist dusters, safety goggles, face masks and Glyphosates.
