Edo government mulls commercial agric, to partner herbal clinic

Edo State Government is to collaborate with Pax Herbal Clinic and Research Laboratory, Ewu to create entrepreneurs in agriculture (Agricpreneurs) and work out the modalities for putting resources together for farmers to take advantage of.

Governor Godwin Obaseki made this known yesterday while receiving a delegation of the clinic, led by its Director, Rev. Fr. Anselm Adodo, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

It hopes of empowering farmers and individuals to invest in agriculture to cater for the food needs of the people and income for the producers. It is also considering embarking on commercial farming as additional income generation for the state.

The centre was founded over 20 years ago as a Catholic centre for scientific cultivation, identification, utilisation and promotion of Nigeria’s medicinal plants. The clinic is a herbal manufacturing company that produces herbal medicine locally.

Obaseki said the state would employ other models that have worked in other parts of the world, including leaning towards large-scale commercial farming. He noted that although the state had come up with different agribusiness models, his administration was interested in the group’s initiative because according to him, it seems to have adopted a different and appealing model.

His words: “Our administration has taken another view, departing from treating agriculture like a social course, but like a business, assisting people to ensure they participate meaningfully and make profit from it. We go into business for profitability. Otherwise, we can not sustain it.”

Besides, the governor said government was examining the centre’s method of using organic materials, particularly ginger and other herbs, in producing its medicines. Fr. Adodo indicated the willingness of the centre to collaborate with the state government in strategic poverty and unemployment eradication policies, adding that they were capable of assisting government in creating job opportunities statewide.

He noted: “With your support, the first approved herbal malaria drugs can come from Edo State. We invite you to visit our facility and see what we are doing.”
The Catholic cleric said the clinic remains the only herbal manufacturing company nationwide that still produces its products from locally sourced ingredients despite the harsh economic climate which supports the importer more than the manufacturer.