FG deploys 711 N-Power agric agents to Edo

The Federal Government has deployed 711 N-Power agricultural agents to Edo to improve agricultural activities within the state.

The Programme Manager of Edo State Agricultural Development Programme, Peter Aikhuomobhoebe, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Monday.

Having increased the extension agents from 35 to 746, he added that farmers would feel the impact of the intervention directly. To provide more technological support to farmers, he said the agents would be deployed across the three senatorial districts of the state.

As regards effective provision of support to farmers, he said the state is still in need of 698 more extension agents.

“We have not had it this good in the area of extension agents for a very long time now. What we had before the Federal Government intervention through its N-Power programme was mere 35 extension agents who were expected to cover the whole state with no fewer than half a million farmers.

“Though we are aware that we need no fewer than 1,444 extension agents to be able to do a thorough job, the 711 that has been engaged by the federal government will make a tremendous impact in agricultural activities in the state.

Aikhuomobhoebe informed that with the additional figure from the 35 we used to have, they will be able to reach out to more farmers next season. The farmers will have more technological support.

“This is aimed at protecting their crops. This initiative of the Federal Government is good and will go a long way in encouraging farmers to increase their production as well as encourage others to go into agriculture,” he said.

Aikhuomobhoebe said the state government has also introduced various initiatives to boost food production as well as provide employment opportunities through agriculture.

“As a state, our Governor’s focus now is on agriculture. He is supporting a lot of initiatives on agriculture.”