Edo State Government Commence Development of Agricultural Policy

By Lucky Isibor

The Edo State government has commenced the development of an agricultural policy in its bid to take agriculture to new heights in the state and drive the process of employment generation for the teaming youths.

The the state government through the Ministry of Agriculture has constituted a committee to draft the policy.

The state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has also approved the inclusion of Edo State Cooperative Farmers Ltd ESCFAL, in the drafting committee.

The position of government was made known to members of ESCFAL Friday, 18 August at a technical meeting of the committee to fine tune strategies on how to include inputs from stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.

According to the chairman of the committee, Mr. Amos Erhabor, Governor Obaseki approved the collaboration of ESCFAL in its bid to develop a workable agricultural policy for the state.

While thanking ESCFAL for the interest and enthusiasm it has shown so far in the development of an agricultural policy for the state, the chairman assured that members of the committee will work assiduously to ensure that an agricultural policy is put in place in the state to fast track the development of agriculture.

The president of ESCFAL, Comrade Nosa Confidence Amayo, in his remarks reminded the committee of  its earlier decision to have input from the research findings of ESCFAL assuring of the organization’s support in the entire process.

The Edo State government is in collaboration with Edo Farmers Cooperative Farmers Association Ltd, to develop an agricultural policy for the state.

It would be recalled that Governor Godwin Obaseki during his electioneering campaign promised to put an agricultural policy in place if he wins the election.

The government has also kick start the process of creating part of its promised 200,000 jobs through the agripreneur program which has resulted in the establishment of a farm at Sobe in Owan West local government area and other parts of the state.