Senator Imasuen Emphasizes On The Vitality Of Focusing On Rural Farmers










Senator Imasuen Emphasizes On The Vitality Of Focusing On Rural Farmers




Senator Barr. Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, has stressed the need of concentrating on the rural farmers by providing them with Cocoa and plantain seedlings for planting season.



The lawmaker also used the  opportunity to empowered 120 farmers in the state with essential resources and training aimed at improving cocoa cultivation. The move is to support agricultural development in Edo State.


Commenting at the event, Senator Imasuen emphasized the importance of focusing on rural farmers, who are the backbone of the State’s agricultural sector.




“Farmers are mostly found in the rural areas and not urban centers like Ring Road in Benin City,” he noted, highlighting the need to target those who are directly involved in farming.



The training, conducted by experts from the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) based in Ibadan, Oyo State, aimed to add value to the existing knowledge of the farmers, enabling them to become more self-sufficient.

Senator Neda Imasuen said that his motivation for the empowerment program stemmed from a recent experience in Lagos, where he discovered that the chocolate he was served was produced in Nigeria, not overseas, as is commonly believed.

This realization prompted him to embark on a mission to boost cocoa cultivation in Edo State, recognizing the crop’s untapped potential.

“Cocoa businesses have far greater potential than petroleum,” Senator Imasuen stated. “Unfortunately, many are unaware that Edo State has the capacity to become the third-largest cocoa producer in the country if properly harnessed.”


The initiative is not just about providing resources but also about empowering farmers to eventually become employers of labor.



“We want to teach them how to fish; we don’t want to keep giving them fish all the time. They should know how to catch fish,” he added, stressing the importance of self-reliance in economic empowerment.

The training covered various aspects of modern cocoa farming, including effective marketing strategies and the importance of diversifying farming activities. Participants also received lectures on pepper and tomato farming, emphasizing the need to maximize profit by engaging in multiple agricultural ventures.

One of the the participants, Engr. Jack Dan Igodan,in an interview expressed his gratitude for the provision of agricultural seedlings, noting that the initiative would significantly improve the well-being of the farmers.

The idea, launched on Wednesday in Benin City, is designed to reduce the plights farmers face in accessing quality seedlings and to enhance their expertise in growing cash crops such as cocoa.


“The supply of cocoa and plantain seedlings will largely improve the farmers’ livelihood in all ramifications.”
Senator Imasuen extended his thanks to the resource persons from CRIN, his staff who worked tirelessly to organize the training, and the press for their crucial role in society.

The initiative marks a significant step toward transforming Edo State’s agricultural landscape, with the potential to elevate the State to a leading position in cocoa production nationwide.

"The training was meant for farmers within and mostly outside Benin city. Farmers are in Ovia, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwonde LGAs and they need training on agriculture as they dwell in rural areas and that’s my target, especially cocoa farmers,” he said.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bishop Of Auchi, Dunia Blames Edo Police For Death Of Seminarian

Image
Bishop Of Auchi, Dunia Blames Edo Police For Death Of Seminarian  By Editor  The Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia has described as false a report which quoted him as blaming Edo State Government for not doing enough to effect the release of the abducted priest, Rev. Philip Ekweli and a seminarian, Andrew Peter, 21, who was reportedly murdered. The priest was released at about 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025, close to Amughe village, a few kilometres from Okpekpe town, North Ibie in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, ending ten days of captivity in the hands of his abductors. He is now receiving appropriate medical attention. Speaking on his mobile phone from his base in Auchi, Bishop Dunia said that the state government did it very best in handling the crisis situation but however had harsh words for men of the Edo State Police Command, who he accused of bungling the rescue efforts. He said: "I never criticized Edo State ...
Read more

Benue Village Names Cemetery After President Tinubu For Helping Killers’ Herders In Protest

Image
Benue Village Names Cemetery After President Tinubu For Helping Killers’ Herders In Protest  By Editor  YELWATA community in Benue State has erected a signpost reading “Tinubu Cemetery” in protest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s insensitivity for slumbering the community during his visit to the state capital, Makurdi. It would be recalled over 200 people were killed in the midnight attacks on the 14th of this month, which lasted for several hours without intervention from the nation’s docile security agencies. The signpost is a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with residents demanding action and accountability for the government’s failure to protect its citizens. The protesters are citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” They are calling for the government to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens and bring...
Read more

Senator Neda Imasuen Empowers Edo South Farmers With Farm Implements

Image
Senator Neda Imasuen Empowers Edo South Farmers With Farm Implements  Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin  The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Senator Neda Imasuen has appealed to farmers not to sell their farm tools and implements given to them, but make good use of it to enable them sustained their families, and the nation at large. The federal lawmaker said the essence of the event in his own little way is to reduce the price of food in the market by empowering his constituents of being farmers and producers more food. He appealed to the farmers to pay proper attention to the various speakers at the programme and ensure they make good use of the knowledge they acquire during the training. Senator Neda Imasuen gave the advice at a training organised for his constituent members in Benin city, Edo state warned the farmers not to sell the farm implements and tools ensure they make good use of the opportunity. " This items we are giving you, some ...
Read more