The Edo State Government has acquired equipment and trained farmers for agro-processing in its quest to boost food production across different locations in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Stephen Idehenre, while addressing farmers at the Rubber Estate Nigeria Limited, Ovia South-West Local Government Area (LGA), noted that the state is keen on supporting farmers to attain food sufficiency.
He noted that arrangements have been concluded to provide necessary equipment for smallholder farmers in the dry season, adding that irrigation equipment have been distributed to ensure that there are no disruptions.
The commissioner added that the state has concluded plans to boost rice production, with the roll out of a programme to boost agro-processing.
According to him, “The programme has installed and empowered rice processing mills with destoners that have the capacity to process three metric tons per day in Iguoriakhi (Ovia South-West), Agbede (Etsako West), Warake (Owan East), Eme-Ora (Owan West) and Oshomegbe community (Etsako Central).”
Others, according to him, include 8HP processing mills with hydraulic press, rehabilitation of 6 wet markets and rehabilitation of a 10-ton capacity cold room, thereby empowering over 2,200 beneficiaries in different locations across the state’s 18 the local government areas.
He noted that through other programmes such as the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), the state is building a strong base to attract other agro-processors into the state.
