Edo State Government Launches Local Economic Development Process to Rejuvenate Agricultural Sector

Strategic Insights -

Edo State has embarked on a significant initiative to boost its local economy, particularly in the agricultural sector, through a partnership with GIZ SEDIN. The Local Economic Development (LED) process, marked by the "LED-GETLOCAL" interactive session, aims to foster sustainable economic growth and development in three pilot Local Government Areas (LGAs): Oredo, Esan Central, and Etsako West. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Peter Aikhuomobhogbe, emphasized the importance of cultivating food as a means to combat environmental concerns related to feeding the growing population. He noted that the state is partnering with Green Hills to create awareness and focus on short gestation crops, such as watermelon and cucumber, which can be grown in Edo State's favorable climate. The Head of Local Government Area (HOLGA) for Oredo LGA, Mr. Kessington Osifo, highlighted the need to conduct soil tests to determine the feasibility of growing sesame seeds in areas outside of a specific region, where it has shown a 50percent increase in exports.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Edo State Government has partnered with GIZ SEDIN to launch a Local Economic Development (LED) process aimed at rejuvenating the economic competitiveness of Local Government Areas in the state.
  • The LED process will focus on the agricultural sector, specifically leveraging short gestation crops such as watermelon and cucumber, which can be grown in Edo State's favorable climate.
  • The initiative aims to foster sustainable economic growth and development in three pilot LGAs: Oredo, Esan Central, and Etsako West.
  • The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Peter Aikhuomobhogbe, emphasized the importance of cultivating food as a means to combat environmental concerns surrounding feeding the growing population.
  • The Head of Local Government Area (HOLGA) for Oredo LGA, Mr. Kessington Osifo, highlighted the need to conduct soil tests to determine the feasibility of growing sesame seeds in areas outside of a specific region, where it has shown a 50percent increase in exports.
  • The MD/CEO of Zion Agro-Allied Services LTD, Mr. Oni Peters Imonikhe, noted that government has a pivotal role to play in research, seedling improvement, and farmer support.

Statistics:

  • 50percent: the increase in sesame seed exports observed in a specific region of Edo State.
  • 3 months: the gestation period required to grow crops such as watermelon and cucumber.
  • 10 percent: the percentage of persons that Mr. Oni Peters Imonikhe believes would make a difference in agriculture in Edo State.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Edo State Government
  • GIZ SEDIN
  • Zion Agro-Allied Services LTD
  • Green Hills
  • Local Government Community and Chieftaincy Affairs, Edo State Government