Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state, on Thursday, flagged off the Nigeria Coronavirus (COVID-19) Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) programme under which 12,494 smallholder farmers will be provided inputs.
Obaseki during the event held in Umuegbe community in Oredo Local Government Area (LGA), said the state agricultural sector had supported over 3,000 smallholder and large scale farmers.
Obaseki, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Peter Aikhuomobhogbe, said the government had developed 300 hectares in Iguomon community, Ovia North East LGA for the production of swamp rice.
“A similar intervention programme was undertaken in Warrake community, Owan East LGA on a 500-hectare- farmland.
“In Usugbenu, Ugboha and Sobe communities in Esan Central, Esan South East and Owan West respectively, we empowered 1,500 farmers for the production of maize.
“For the independent farmers initiative, 1400 smallholder farmers were provided with agricultural inputs to drive cassava, maize, rice, soyabean, poultry and fisheries value chain.
“Under the oil palm initiative, 63,000 hectares of brown fields have been made available for nine investors for the development of oil palm plantation aimed at making the state a leader in oil palm production,” he said.
