Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has launched the second phase of his “Back-to-Farm” programme, distributing agricultural equipment and inputs to farmers across the state. The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said in a statement on Friday in Benin that the distribution included spray equipment, fertilisers, gloves, safety goggles, coveralls, fish processing kits, gas cylinders, farm boots and knapsack mist dusters. The event marking the commencement of the 2026 farming season held on Thursday evening at the Agricultural Hub on Oko-Ogba Road in Benin City with farmers and stakeholders from all 18 local government areas present. He was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor who supervised the exercise and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening agriculture for food security across Edo State. Okpebholo said his administration remained committed to increased agricultural funding and programmes under the SHINE development agenda aimed at supporting farmers and ensuring food sufficiency. He emphasised agriculture as a sustainable livelihood noting that food production remains central to human survival and cannot be replaced by other professions. He also warned against diversion of farm inputs insisting that distribution must reach genuine farmers and not political beneficiaries within the agricultural support system. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Jerry Uwangue said the programme was designed to launch the 2026 farming season while promoting modern agricultural practices and timely planning among farmers. Beneficiaries commended the initiative and called for further government support to boost productivity and ensure a successful 2026 planting season across the state. Farmers across the state expressed appreciation for the intervention describing it as timely and capable of enhancing productivity ahead of the 2026 planting cycle. They urged continued government support in the provision of inputs access to credit and extension services to sustain agricultural growth. The state government reiterated that the Back-to-Farm initiative remains a core part of its economic development strategy aimed at improving food security creating jobs and strengthening rural livelihoods across Edo State for sustainable agricultural transformation in the state going forward policy direction emphasis.
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