Plans by Edo State to produce rice from 500 hectares at Ilushi in Esan South may suffer a setback following invasion of the farmland by residents.
Officials of Edo FADAMA, who were at the farm, called ‘China Camp,’ to map it for registered cooperatives, were shocked when they saw farmers planting rice.
The FADAMA officials said the government acquired the land for large scale production of rice, adding that tractors will soon move in to remove cultivated rice.
They said the specie approved by the offtaker was different from ones planted and encouraged them to form cooperatives.
But the people said they paid a man, simply called Moses, for the plots.
One of them, who gave his name as Eric, said those planting on the farm were not informed about the acquisition.
He threatened to use chemicals to destroy the rice.
Eric said other portions of land should have been allotted to the government.
Another farmer, who refused to give his name, said: “After the FADAMA people leave, we will plant on the land.”