The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Ekiti, Dr Olabode Adetoyi, has announced that the government is concluding plans to begin rice pyramid programme in the state.
Adetoyi said this on Friday, when he visited rice farmers in Ijero, Ikoro, Igbemo and Aisegba Ekiti to interact with them on how the programme would be achieved.
He said the plan would make Ekiti the largest rice producer in the South-West and one of the largest in the country.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Gov. Kayode Fayemi had invested heavily to open up about 1,500 hectres of land for lowland and upland rice farming, which is expected to engage 12,000 people.
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Adetoye said the state government, in collaboration with the Federal Government and private investors, will provide the farmers with improved paddy rice, fertilizer, tools, chemicals and other incentives that will guarantee bountiful harvest.
The commissioner charged the farmers to embrace the government’s support in order to ensure food security, employment and wealth creation for improved living condition.