“Every grain harvested here tells a story of hard work, vision, and the new direction we are giving to Edo’s economy”, These were the words of Governor Monday Okpebholo speaking in his hometown Udomi after harvesting grain from the State Owned Udomi Farm settlement in Edo Central local government area.
The administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo has shown commitment to diversify the State economy as it moves away from the State’s natural resources, embracing other sources of revenue which include agriculture to stimulate growth and development.
NATURAL RESOURCES IN EDO
Edo State is located in Nigeria’s rainforest region and richly endowed with natural resources, including significant deposits of crude oil, natural gas, limestone, gold, marble, clay amongst others. The State has a strong agricultural base, producing both cash and food crops. There are a lot of industrial prospects for both the agro-allied and non agro-allied industries.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSIFY EDO ECONOMY
Several administrations in Edo State have continued to focus more on oil as its sources of revenue as the State is blessed as one of the oil producing States across the federation. The Governor Monday Okpebholo led administration is changing the narrative through diversifying the State economy, shifting from oil and focusing on agriculture through the SHINE Agenda.
BOOSTING FOOD SECURITY
Blessed with fertile land and good weather for agricultural products, the Edo State government’s initiative to boost food security and promote agro-industrial development is becoming a reality. The State government through the SHINE Agenda has embarked on an initiative to establish farm settlement across the three Senatorial Districts to enable her feed its population and position the State as a hub for the agricultural sector.
INCREASED BUDGETARY ALLOCATION
Gov Okpebholo in the 2025 “Renewed Hope” and 2026 “Budget of Hope and Growth,” increased budgetary allocation from the initial amount following
the importance placed on the agricultural sector by the Okpebholo led administration.
The increase is to combat food insecurity, enhance productivity, support farmers, and drive economic growth and development. It is also targeted at farm mechanization, providing high-yielding seedlings, and securing farmlands as the administration is implementing the “Back to Farm Initiative” and supporting agribusiness to enhance food security and sufficiency. It also aims to move beyond subsistence farming to more commercialized agriculture, positioning the state as a major agricultural hub in Nigeria.
EDO FARM SETTLEMENT
Farm settlements are projects established across the three Senatorial Districts and a key component of the Edo State government’s “Back to Farm Initiative”, which are part of a larger, State-wide strategy to make Edo State a food and agricultural hub in the South-South region.
Gov Okpebholo’s administration has provided 3,000 hectares of land across the three senatorial districts to enable farmers to have access to land, modern equipment, high-yielding seedlings, and financial assistance to help boost food security and sufficiency in the State.
The government is focusing on mechanised farming, where it will provide tractors, seeds, and training for farmers in these settlements.
EDO SOUTH FARM SETTLEMENT
The farm settlement in Edo South Senatorial Districts is located in Iguoriakhi, Ovia South West local government area of the State. The State government is currently revitalizing agriculture through a “Back to Farm” initiative, focusing on developing key settlements like the Iguoriakhi Farm Settlement.
As part of a 3,000-hectare project, 60 hectares have been cultivated with crops like maize and cassava to boost food security and create jobs for Edo youths.
The Iguoriakhi farm is a primary hub for this initiative, which includes mechanization, infrastructural upgrades, and support for Cash and food crops.
EDO CENTRAL FARM SETTLEMENT
The Udomi Farm Settlement is a state-owned agricultural project located in Udomi Community, Esan Central local government areas of Edo State. The farm settlement spans at least 400 hectares.
Crops cultivated include maize and cassava, with plans for expansion. The maize yields were reportedly high, with a local flour mill serving as a major buyer. The primary goal is to create jobs, empower local farmers, and diversify the state’s economy to ensure food security and sufficiency as well as shared prosperity.
On October 24th 2025, top government officials Stakeholders in the agricultural sector joined gov Monday Okpebholo to harvest maize from the Udomi farm settlement.
The governor said “as I walked through the State Owned Udomi Farm in Edo Central and personally making a few harvests from the farmlands, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment — seeing firsthand what Practical Governance truly means.
“Through large-scale agriculture, we are creating jobs, empowering farmers, and diversifying our economy to ensure food security and shared prosperity for all. This farm is a testament and symbol of our commitment to turning policies into programs, and dreams into results that every Edo person can see and feel”.
INAUGURATION OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio was in the State to commission a fleet of agricultural machinery procured by Governor Okpebholo’s administration, with the aim of boosting local farming,
revolutionizing the agricultural sector, increasing food security, and creating jobs.
The equipment Commissioned includes 30 tractors, 5 bulldozers, a low-bed trailer, and 150 various implements.The government focused is on transforming the state from subsistence farming to full mechanization, opening thousands of hectares of new farmland.
Gov Okpebholo speaking during the commissioning said the machinery would expand Edo’s agricultural capacity, enhance productivity and accelerate rural development. “The acquisition was designed to open thousands of hectares of new farmlands, attract agribusiness investments, reduce post-harvest losses and create sustainable employment opportunities for youths and women.
“This is a shift from subsistence agriculture to full mechanisation, as well as ensuring the state became a reliable contributor to national food reserves, while reducing the state’s vulnerability to economic shocks.
“This is a strategic investment that will change the trajectory of Edo’s economy. We are laying the foundation for food sufficiency, commercial-scale farming and long-term prosperity for our people.”
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT OF $100 MILLION
The impact of the Gov Okpebholo led agricultural reforms is yielding positive outcomes attracting both local and international investors to Edo. The State is seen as a favorable State to invest and make profits.
Under the first year of Gov. Okpebholo’s administration, Edo State recorded a landmark achievement with the announcement of a $100 million foreign direct investment (FDI) by SIAT and its parent Company into Presco PLC’s operations.
Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have described the $100 million foreign direct investment (FDI) by SIAT as historic and the first of its kind in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. They
commended Gov. Okpebholo for providing a stable governance structure, improved security, and a conducive business environment that has continued to woo investors to the State.
Through the rich natural resources, blessed and fertile land, commitment to boost food security, establishment of state-owned farm settlement, commissioning of agricultural implement, Gov Okpebholo is fulfilling his administration’s promises for agriculture in the SHINE Agenda.
The SHINE Agenda of Gov Okpebholo is transforming the State in all sectors as the people are benefiting from a positive impact in Security, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education. The State is gradually becoming a destination for investors in the area of security, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and education.
