The Edo State fertilizer blending plant being built in Auchi by the Godwin Obaseki administration is ready for commissioning.

Governor Obaseki disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking with journalists shortly after inspecting the 450-hectare maize farm, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative of his administration with Saro-Agro Sciences Ltd to accelerate the mainstreaming of agriculture in the state’s economy.

Speaking to journalists after a tour of the farm located in Sobe, Owan West Local Government Area, Obaseki disclosed that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has promised to visit Edo State to commission the fertilizer blending plant, which is an integral part of the Accelerated Agriculture initiative designed to create jobs in the state.

Obaseki, who was accompanied by top government officials and the Managing Director of Saro AgroSciences, Mr. Oluwole Adeyegbe, urged youths in the state to embrace the initiative which would enhance their socio-economic status.

He expressed satisfaction that the first phase of the agriculture initiative was a success, noting that the second phase would commence in other parts of the state in the next planting season.

“We flagged off our Accelerated Agriculture initiative three months ago and this maize farm is a product of the initiative. There were few challenges encountered by the farmers and we will go back to the drawing board to ensure that there is significant improvement in the next phase,” the governor said.

He further said that his administration adopted the Public Private Partnership business model so that the youths for whom the programme was created can leverage on the expertise of major players in the agricultural sector and grow into big players themselves.

•Photo shows, L-R; Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Bashir Kadiri; Commissioner for Agriculture, Edo State, Mr. Monday Osaigbovo; and the MD, Saro Agro-Sciences Ltd., Mr. Oluwole Adeyegbe, during the governor’s inspection of the 450 hectares maize farm joint venture in Sobe, Owan West LGA.