By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has inspected land preparation for the cultivation of a 725-hectare maize farm project located in Sobe, Owan West Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Obaseki said the project would be fully mechanised with the support of the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agriculture Lending (NIRSAL).
While addressing newsmen after inspecting the maize farm, the Governor said the state government has secured funding from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to run the project.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work done and availability of inputs for the farmers at the site, noting that 145 farmers would cultivate maize on five hectares each.
The Governor informed the journalists that from next week, the farmers will commence the planting on maize on the farm. According to him, the necessary materials to make this a reality have been procured by the state government.
“This is one of the eight ongoing farms we have in the state and planting will commence next week as soon as land preparation is completed.
“We have brought in experts to help us manage these farms and have secured funding from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to run the project,” Mr Obaseki said.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Dipo Olowookere