The Edo State Fadama III has empowered 33,000 fish, crop, and livestock farmers across the state, Mr Edward Izevbigie, the state Project Coordinator has said.
Izevbigie told newsmen in Benin that the empowerment was routed through about 150 registered Fadama Community Associations (FCAs) in the state.
He said the success story of the programme in Edo could be attributed to the high variety seeds and cassava cuttings introduced through Fadama 111 programme to farmers.
According to him, the fish farmers, who benefited from the Fadama programme had substantially increased their fish production.
“There is hardly any market you cannot find fresh fish in the state.
“In the past, you can only buy fresh fish from Banga market in Benin,’’ he said.
He said that the crop, vegetables and fish farmers, whom the programme also empowered, had so far recorded huge successes across the state.
Izevbigie explained that the office had disbursed N29 million to farmers from January to October 2015 for asset category.
“The funds disbursed would be channelled towards road rehabilitation and building of agro cottage industry.
“As a result of the successes we have recorded in the programme, the state was selected for additional financing which would be channelled towards the cassava and rice production,’’ he added.
The coordinator said Fadama III in Edo collaborated with the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) to disburse N45.8 million to farmers in the last one year.
According to the coordinator, the collaboration is to boost more food production in the state.
