The Ogun State Government has announced a profit revenue of One billion Naira from its rice revolution project over the past three months.
This was disclosed on Monday, August 19, by the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun during the flag off of the harvesting of the 200-hectare Magboro rice farm in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the State.
According to the Governor, with a yield of seven metric tonnes per hectare on the 200-hectare pilot project, the state produced approximately 1,400 metric tonnes of rice. Which is equivalent to 20,000 bags of milled rice.
Abiodun, therefore, stated that by this feat, Ogun State raked in an estimated revenue of N1 billion every three months. With this directly benefiting the out-growers; including many youths and women who are new to farming.
Following the success of the first harvesting, Abiodun said the project will now scale up to 2,000 hectares. He added that State Government has plans to expand to 5,000 hectares.
“The scale-up is also projected to yield between N10 billion to N25 billion in revenue per quarter.
“The farm, which is a brainchild of the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, is supported by the World Bank.
Abiodun noted that the project is aimed at driving economic growth and development in the State.
The Governor stated that with the flag-off, Ogun State is not only joining states like Lagos, Kebbi, and Bayelsa in producing locally grown rice for the consumption of the people. He noted that the development will also foster economic development, creating jobs, and improve livelihoods within the communities.
He said, “This is a 200-hectare rice farm. The farmers are mainly women and youths from all parts of the country, not just from Ogun State alone.
“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.”
“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.
“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 and 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.”
The Governor, however, emphasized that the project was in line with President Bola Tinubu administration’s resolve to eradicate poverty and hunger by providing affordable food to Nigerians.
Abiodun noted that aside from increasing rice production, the project would also address animal husbandry.
The Governor also stressed the blessing of Ogun State with adequate manpower and natural resources. He, therefore, maintained that agriculture remained an important agenda of his administration. He pointed out that it would provide employment and raw materials for the numerous industries in the State.
Abiodun said the OGSTEP Agricultural Sector Intervention will provide critical support to agriculture in the State. These, he said, include advanced agricultural techniques, access to quality seeds, modern irrigation systems, and technical training for farmers. He added that the approach is offered to beneficiaries at a 65 per cent discount on the cost for each mechanization operation.
The Governor, therefore, praised the people, especially members of the communities, for supporting the project. He promised that the farm would be provided with solar pumps to power the boreholes. The State would also provide modern drones for effective pest control.
The Project Coordinator, Mosun Owo-Odunsi, expressed gratitude to Governor Abiodun for providing the necessary support for the project.
She added that the project, which aims to produce high-quality rice, would impact positively on the lives of citizens in all sectors.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo also praised the Governor for the success of the project. She reiterated that the project was in tandem with the agriculture policy of the Dapo Abiodun-led administration. Which is to ensure food sufficiency for the people of the State.
source: Premium Times
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