By Edeniyere Abraham Osose
The Edo State Government, in collaboration with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) Netherlands and key stakeholders, has taken a significant step towards revolutionising agriculture in the Sokponba landscape by validating critical studies aimed at improving farming practices, protecting the environment, and fostering community-inclusive investments.
The Stakeholder Engagement Meeting, held at OTI Hotel in Benin City, brought together government representatives, investors, community leaders, and development partners to review findings and lay the groundwork for a structured intervention programme that will drive economic growth and sustainability in the region.
Speaking during the event, the Country Director of IDH, Prof. Eniola Fabusoro, described the engagement as both "historic and strategic," stressing that the initiative was crucial in ensuring that the studies conducted accurately reflected the realities on the ground.
He emphasised that the validation process was essential for fine-tuning the proposed interventions and ensuring they met the specific needs of the local communities. According to him, "this engagement represents the first step towards developing well-structured programmes and designing impactful projects that will benefit both the people and the land"
Expressing his satisfaction with the warm reception from the communities, Prof. Fabusoro highlighted that initial fears of resistance from locals had been put to rest. He noted that the people’s trust in ESOPP-IIO and the Edo State Government’s commitment to agricultural development had reassured them that the initiative was designed for their benefit. He further underscored that this increased trust provided a strong foundation upon which a sustainable agricultural project could be built.
The General Manager of ESOPP-IIO, Mr Churchill Oboh, commended the Edo State Government for prioritising the agricultural sector, citing the increased budgetary allocation as a testament to the administration’s commitment to transforming agriculture in the state. He noted that this financial commitment will help address key agricultural issues around access to agro-chemicals, improved planting materials and mechanized land development which in turn improve the yields of farmers and ensure food security in the state.
Explaining the significance of the socioeconomic survey conducted in the Sokponba forest by IDH, Mr Oboh said the research aimed to assess the impact of various investments on the livelihoods of local farmers. He pointed out that most of the people in the Sokponba landscape are agrarians, primarily engaged in subsistence farming. He stressed the need for a structured approach that would improve farmers’ yields, enhance their standard of living, and curb deforestation while strengthening cooperation between investors, farmers, and host communities.
He further explained that IDH, being a non-profit international organisation, was keen on supporting farmers but needed to fully understand the existing conditions and challenges before rolling out interventions.
According to him, the research findings will help create a framework that facilitates a robust relationship among all stakeholders in the landscape, including investors, ESOPP-IIO, community leaders, and farmers.
On his part, the Chairman of Sokponba Dunkudon, Mr Ogbonmwan Godfrey, expressed optimism that the ongoing discussions and collaborations among stakeholders would result in meaningful development for the host communities.
He, however, called on the government to consider policies that would provide permanent land ownership rights to families in these communities. He explained that such measures would help resolve long-standing land disputes between investors and local residents, ensuring long-term peace and stability while fostering economic growth.
The engagement marks a significant milestone in Edo State’s agricultural transformation agenda, as the government, ESOPP-IIO, and development partners continue to work towards enhancing food security, boosting local economies, and promoting environmental sustainability. With IDH’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and the state government’s increasing investment in agriculture, Sokponba is set to become a model for sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.
As the validated studies now pave the way for targeted interventions, stakeholders are eagerly anticipating the next phase of implementation, which will determine the long-term impact of this ambitious initiative. The discussions and collaborations at this engagement have set the stage for the development of practical, people-centred solutions that will not only improve the livelihoods of farmers but also ensure a balance between economic growth and environmental conservation in Edo State.
