The Edo State Government has launched the 2022 dry season farming with the distribution of irrigation equipment to over 500 farmers in the state to enhance year-round food production.

The state launched the programme under Edo (FADAMA) CARES Result Area II of Nigeria, which is geared towards alleviating hunger and encouraging agricultural production.

Addressing beneficiaries of the scheme at the Rubber Estate Nigeria Limited, Ovia South-West Local Government Area (LGA), the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Stephen Idehenre stated that the intervention seeks to empower smallholder farmers with small irrigation equipment to aid food production during the dry season.

Idehenre noted that over 500 farmers will be empowered with the provision of 171 units of small irrigation equipment. 139 units of the equipment will be distributed at Auchi, Etsako West LGA and 32 units would go to farmers in Ovia South-West LGA.