The Edo State Government has commenced the harvest of over 500 hectares of maize cultivated at the Udomi Farm in Esan Central Local Government Area, in a major push to increase food production, strengthen food security and support agricultural value chains across the state.
The harvest, being carried out through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, is part of the administration’s broader strategy to produce food in commercial quantities while creating a sustainable supply of raw materials for industries, livestock producers and other agricultural businesses.
Speaking with journalists during an inspection of the farm, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Jerry Nwangue, said the scale of production demonstrated that Edo State had the capacity to produce food for both consumption and industrial use.
Nwangue said Governor Monday Okpebholo had shown strong commitment to agriculture and had consistently encouraged residents, particularly young people, to return to farming.
He explained that the government’s agricultural programme extended beyond the Udomi Farm, with several large-scale projects currently ongoing across the state.
According to him, the government has established large cassava and rice farms at the Ekpoma settlement, while similar rice and cassava production activities are ongoing in Warake and Iguoriakhi.
“This is way, 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,” Nwangue said.
The commissioner described the governor’s approach to agriculture as “practical governance,” stressing that the administration was focused on taking concrete steps to increase food production and strengthen Edo’s agricultural economy.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Golden Ugbodu, described the scale of agricultural activities under the present administration as unprecedented in the state.
Ugbodu expressed optimism that sustained investment and production would enable Edo State to attain food sufficiency and contribute significantly to food production across Nigeria.
“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 represented a significant improvement on the previous year’s agricultural activities.
He explained that the over 500 hectares of maize would provide essential raw materials for livestock producers, particularly poultry farmers and other animal husbandry businesses.
The Director of Agricultural Services in the Edo State Ministry of Agriculture, Ugunbor David, described the cultivation and harvesting operation at the Udomi Farm as a clear example of mechanised agriculture.
The officials said the Udomi maize project formed part of the Okpebholo administration’s broader agricultural intervention aimed at transforming Edo State into a major food-producing hub while creating opportunities for farmers and strengthening the state’s agricultural value chain.
