Edo moves to identify genuine farmers, end ‘political farming’

In Edo State, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is taking decisive steps to ensure that agricultural interventions reach the intended beneficiaries. Commissioner Jerry Uwangue has announced a robust farmer profiling exercise designed to weed out the pervasive issue of 'political farmers' – individuals who falsely claim to be farmers to gain access to government resources. This move, under the policy direction of Governor Monday Okpebholo, signals a commitment to transparency and efficiency in the agricultural sector.

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We urge farmers to key into the ongoing profiling exercise and embrace the cluster farming model, an integrated system designed to boost productivity and economies of scale.

The recent field engagement across major agrarian corridors in Edo North, including Akoko-Edo, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Etsako West, Owan East, and Owan West, underscores the ministry's dedication to understanding the realities on the ground. Farmers themselves have commended these interactive sessions, noting that it is unprecedented for a commissioner to engage directly across multiple local government areas. This direct interface ensures that government interventions are not siphoned off by middlemen or politically connected individuals, but rather benefit the genuine farmers who are the backbone of our food security.

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Under this initiative, the government will facilitate land clearing, structured allocation of farmlands, provision of inputs and mechanisation services, irrigation support and the establishment of security architecture to safeguard both farmers and agricultural investments.

From our perspective in Edo State, this initiative is more than just data collection; it's about fostering a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. The emphasis on the cluster farming model, which promises to boost productivity and economies of scale through integrated support like land clearing, input provision, mechanization, and security, is crucial. Furthermore, the planned establishment of modern storage and aggregation facilities, coupled with strategic partnerships with off-takers, will address critical issues like post-harvest losses and market price stabilization. This data-driven approach, ensuring that production aligns with demand, is vital for the grassroots agricultural transformation Governor Okpebholo envisions, making Edo a model for agricultural development in Nigeria.

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That is why we embarked on the recent field engagement in Edo North—to interface with genuine farmers and eradicate the era of ‘political farmers.’