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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Farmers in Edo State have celebrated their gradual return to their farms after years of abandoning their agricultural activities due to kidnapping and other security challenges that claimed the lives of some farmers.
The farmers attributed the development to security measures introduced by the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
President of the Integrated Farmers Association of Nigeria (IFAN) and Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhaji Bako Dogwo, disclosed this when farmers under the platforms of IFAN, AFAN and State Federated FADAMA Farmers installed the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tenebe, as Patron of Edo farmers.
Dogwo commended Okpebholo for what he described as efforts to improve security across the state, saying the development had boosted farmers’ confidence to return to their farms.
“Farmers who could not go to their farms before are now happy because they can access their farms and continue their farming activities,” he said.
He added that improved security would help increase food production and strengthen food security in the state.
Also speaking, Hon. Prince Henry Ebole, who represented the State Federated FADAMA Farmers, commended Okpebholo for his administration’s SHINE agenda and pledged the support of farmers to the government.
Ebole said farmers played a critical role in providing food and employment opportunities for youths.
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“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, noting that farmers constituted an important constituency in the state.
Responding, Tenebe expressed appreciation to the farmers for honouring him as their patron and pledged to support their activities.
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 added that improved security was essential to enabling farmers to operate freely and increase food production.
