Ogun Ofada Rice Project To Empower 1200 Farmers
Ogun State Government has said its 100 Hectare Ofada Rice Project located in Shagbon village, Egua in Yewa-North Local Government Area of the State will empower no fewer than 1,200 farmers through the provision of direct and indirect employment.Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, who made this known during an inspection visit to the project farmland, pointed out that it is expected to attract 200 farmers and at least 1000 farm hands.
Mrs. Sokefun disclosed that apart from providing land for the farmers, government will also provide farming inputs such as rice seeds and fertilizers needed and buy back the produce after harvest.“ Government will not only be providing you land for the production of the rice, but we will also be responsible for providing viable rice seeds and other inputs needed to ensure a bumper harvest.
I also want to allay your fears as we are also ready to buy back the rice once it has been harvested,” she said.Mrs. Sokefun noted that the 100 hectare of land earmarked for the project is a veritable attempt by government to overcome challenges of land clearing usually encountered by farmers, saying that the Ministry had already begun the clearing and ploughing of the land.
The Commissioner said the gesture would enhance production of Ofada rice, but added that the land would first be used for planting late season maize and short-term Nerica rice to ensure optimal use.In a reaction, a representative of the farmers, Mr. Azeez Adeniji, expressed appreciation of others to government for the project and assured of their commitment for it to record success.
Also speaking, a resident of Shagbon village, Mr. Onifade Oladehinde lauded government for making use of the land acquired over three decades ago and solicited the provision of potable water, access roads and medical staff for the maternity clinic in the village.