Ogun State Government has projected an annual revenue of N30billion from the value-chain of rice production , pledging more support for rice farmers in Magboro area of the State to actualize the target
Governor Dapo Abiodun revealed this
on Monday while flagging off the harvest of 200 hectares of rice farmland under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state, an initiative powered by the World Bank
He promised to provide the necessary support for farmers to scale up production level from the current 200 hectares of farmland to 2,000 hectares for cultivation
The State according to him, is not only joining states like Lagos, Kebbi, and Bayelsa in producing locally grown rice just for the consumption of the people, but for economic development, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods within the communities.
“This is a 200-hectare rice farm. The farmers are mainly women and youths from all parts of the country and not just from Ogun State alone", he stated
“Each farmer was allocated one hectare of farmland; this means that we have 200 farmers in this cluster. This project started in April this year. They began planting in May, and today we are already harvesting, making it a three-month cycle. It means that we can do this three times a year".
Abiodun noted that the farm, with a seven metric ton yield per hectare, could translate to 1,400 metric tons for 200 hectares of milled rice with an efficiency yield of about 70 percent, which would also translate to about 20,000 bags of milled rice per cycle.
“20,000 bags of milled rice per cycle should be estimated to cost about N1 billion. So, these 200 farmers, made up of women and youths across the country who farm here in just three months, have a revenue of N1 billion. If they do this three times this year, they will earn N3 billion. We have no business being hungry in Nigeria", Governor Abiodun said
“In this place, I have 12,500 hectares of land, and all we have farmed is 200 hectares that yielded N1 billion for 200 farmers. From here, I can feed the rest of the country. We will scale up this project immediately from 200 to 2,000 hectares. We can generate N30 billion in revenue. We can take significant steps towards realizing that vision of making Ogun State the food basket of this country", he promised
The governor stated that the project was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s administration resolve to eradicate poverty and hunger by providing affordable food to Nigerians
Governor Abiodun added that the project, apart from increasing rice production, would also address animal husbandry.
Abiodun who emphasized the importance of agriculture in ISEYA mantra of his administration in past five years, says the state is blessed with adequate manpower and natural resources in agriculture sector, to generate more employment opportunities and raw materials for the numerous industries that abound in the state.
While lauding the people, especially members of the communities for supporting the project, the governor promised that the farm would be provided with solar pumps to power the boreholes, as well as modern drones for effective pest control.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, said the project was in tandem with the agricultural policy of the Abiodun-led administration: ensuring food sufficiency for the people.
The Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, while commending the farmers for their determination, noted that the project is part of the agenda of producing food locally to feed the populace.
The Project Coordinator, Mrs Mosun Owo-Odusi, said the project, which aims to produce high-quality rice, would positively impact the lives of citizens in all sectors, appreciating the governor for providing the necessary support.
In his goodwill message, the Olu of Magboro, Oba Modiu Alalade, acknowledged the great impact the project has on the communities in the area, stating that the town has enough farmland to accommodate more farmers to produce sufficient food for the country
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