Edo Govt Begins Harvest of 500 Hectares of Maize in Esan Central

From Ebohon Joan

The Edo State Government has commenced the harvest of more than 500 hectares of maize cultivated at the Udomi Farm in Esan Central Local Government Area, as part of efforts to increase food production and strengthen the state’s agricultural value chain.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Jerry Nwangue, who inspected the farm, said the project demonstrated the government’s determination to produce food on a commercial scale while providing raw materials for industries and livestock producers.

Nwangue said the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo was expanding agricultural investments across the state and encouraging more residents, particularly youths, to return to farming.

He explained that the Udomi maize farm was only one phase of the government’s agricultural programme, noting that large-scale rice and cassava projects were also underway in Ekpoma, Warake and Iguoriakhi.

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

The commissioner described the government’s agricultural strategy as “practical governance,” saying the administration was focused on increasing food production and building a stronger agricultural economy in the state.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Golden Ugbodu, described the scale of the ongoing agricultural projects as unprecedented in Edo.

Ugbodu said sustained investment in the sector would position the state to achieve food sufficiency and contribute substantially to Nigeria’s food supply.

“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,” he said.

The Programme Manager of the Edo State Agricultural Development Programme, Princewill Igbinedion, said the current maize harvest was an improvement on the previous year’s production.

He added that the maize would serve as a major source of raw materials for livestock farmers, especially poultry producers.

The Director of Agricultural Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Ugunbor David, described the Udomi project as a demonstration of mechanised farming.

The state government said the project formed part of its broader plan to transform Edo into a major food-producing hub through large-scale and sustainable agricultural production.