EDSG Begins Harvest of Over 500 Hectares of Maize at Udomi Farm

De-Patriot News Desk

The Edo State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has commenced the harvest of over 500 hectares of maize cultivated at the Udomi Farm in Esan Central Local Government Area, as part of efforts to boost food production, ensure food security and provide raw materials for industries.

Inspecting the farm, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Jerry Uwangue, said the development demonstrated the state’s capacity to produce food on a commercial scale.

Uwangue said the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo was committed to transforming agriculture through practical interventions and had continued to encourage residents, particularly youths, to embrace farming.

He disclosed that similar large scale projects were ongoing across the state, including cassava and rice farms at the Ekpoma settlement, as well as rice and cassava production in Warake and Iguoriakhi.

“This is way bigger than what we saw last year. We are expanding. This is just one phase. What we are have today is something that has not been done before,” he said.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Golden Ugbodu, described the scale of agricultural production under the present administration as unprecedented, expressing optimism that sustained investment would enable Edo to become food sufficient and contribute significantly to national food production.

“This is the brain of Mr. Governor. When he came, he said Edo must be food sufficient. We have never seen a massive farm like this before,” Ugbodu said.

The Programme Manager of the Edo State Agricultural Development Programme, Princewill Igbinedion, said the maize harvest was an improvement on the previous year’s activities and would provide vital raw materials for livestock producers, particularly poultry farmers.

Also, the Director of Agricultural Services in the ministry, Ugunbor David, described the Udomi project as a clear example of mechanised agriculture.