Edo State Launches Agric Innovation Hub to Tackle Food Crisis

Edo State has launched an agriculture-focused digital innovation hub aimed at creating an ecosystem to promote digital transformation, innovation and climate smart agriculture in the state.

The Edo Agri Digital Innovation Hub will be coordinated by the Edo State Skills Development Agency and Songhai Labs, but will also involve farmers organisations, startup ecosystems, financial organisations, and research institutions.

Among them are startups Hello Tractor, Satsure, Farmcrowdy, and Ecotutu, with additional organisations expected to join the consortium throughout 2022 and beyond. The long-term perspective of the project will include an expansion to other regions of Nigeria and other African countries.

The Edo Agricultural Development Hub comprises administrative building (Ministry, ADP and Donor Project offices), state-of-the-art agricultural processing factory, farm mechanization hub, pig and poultry production prototype buildings, and produce/soil laboratory, among others.

According to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, his government will sustain investment in the agriculture sector in a renewed effort to attain food sufficiency, drive job creation and improve livelihoods.