Senator Neda Imasuen Empowers Edo Farmers to Boost Cocoa Cultivation

Senator Neda Imasuen Empowers Edo Farmers to Boost Cocoa Cultivation

By Adesuwa Louisa

The senator representing Edo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Neda Imasuen, has empowered over  One hundred farmers in the state with essential resources and training aimed at improving cocoa cultivation. The move is to support agricultural development in Edo State

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

Speaking 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 Imasuen revealed 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 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 supply of cocoa and plantain seedlings will largely improve the farmers’ livelihood in all ramifications.”

Senator Imasuen appreciated the resource persons and staff of CRIN who worked tirelessly to make the event a reality.