`We ‘ll take advantage of agric potential to grow Edo economy – Gov. Obaseki



Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Wednesday said that his administration would take advantage of the vast opportunities in the agricultural sector to grow the economy.

Obaseki made this known when he received the executive members of the Cassava Stakeholders Association of Nigeria (CSAN) at Government House, Benin.

Represented by Mr Philip Shaibu, his Deputy, Obaseki said that investing in agriculture was critical to the economic development of the state.

He said that his government was in the position to make Edo an economic hub and the eight biggest economy in the World after Lagos state.

The governor said that partnering with agricultural association such as CSAN, would assist government to actualise the vision of food sufficiency and job creation.

“The soil across the state are fertile and rich for the cultivation of both food and cash crops that will enhance economic development.
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“Crops like fruits in Edo Central, oil palm in Edo South and groundnut in Edo North, all will do well because of our fertile soil and geographical location.

“We excel even in rice farming in Edo Central, South and North because of the rich soil in the state. Cassava is not left out as our soil enhances its productivity in the state,’’ he said.

He said that the production of cassava was important as it serve as both food crop and raw materials for industrial use.

Earlier, the President of CSAN, Chief Benjamin Adebayo, who congratulated Obaseki on his victory at the 2016 polls, said the visit was to intimate him of the existence of the association and its programmes.

Adebayo said the association was an initiative of the Federal Government to increase the production level of cassava and tackle the problem of high unemployment rate in the country.

Highlighting the roles and benefit of the association, he said that the Cassava industry alone would absorb more than the promised 200,000 jobs for youths in the state.

He said that agriculture should be seen as the cardinal programme that would help to create employment and improve food security.


Adebayo pledged the association’s readiness to contribute its quota to assist the present administration to achieve its vision of creating jobs for youths.  

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