Ogun State Government says its 100-hectare Ofada Rice Project located in Shagbon village, Eggua in Yewa North local government area of the state will empower no fewer than 1,200 farmers through the provision of direct and indirect labour.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, who spoke during an inspection visit to the project farmland, disclosed that it is expected to attract 200 farmers and at least 1000 farm hands.
Apart from providing land for the farmers, Sokefun said the state government will also provide farming inputs such as rice seeds and fertilizer needed and buy back the produce after harvest.
“Government will not only be providing you land for the planting of the rice, but we will also be responsible for providing viable rice seeds and other inputs needed to ensure a bumper harvest,” she promised.
The commissioner noted that the 100 hectare of land earmarked for the project is a veritable attempt by government to over challenges of land clearing usually encountered by farmers, saying her ministry has already begun the clearing and ploughing of the land.
She explained that the gesture would enable farmers to plant larger land sizes and thereby enhance production of ofada rice.
Sokefun, however, added that the land would first be used for planting late maize and short term Nerica rice to ensure optimal use.
In his remark, a representative of the farmers, Mr. Azeez Adeniji, expressed appreciation of farmers in the area to government for the project and assured of their commitment to ensure its success.
Also speaking, a resident in Shagbon village, Mr. Onifade Oladehinde, lauded government for making use of the land that had been acquired over three decades.
He, however, solicited for the provision of potable water, access roads and medical staff for the maternity clinic in the village.
De Edge Farms
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