By George George Idowu
The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has inaugurated the harvest of 200 hectares of cluster rice farm, the Magboro Rice Farm, in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.
During the inauguration ceremony on Monday, Gov Abiodun said the initiative is part of the state’s Economic Transformation Project, supported by the World Bank, aimed at fostering economic growth and development.
While the event was on, the governor highlighted that Ogun State is joining the ranks of other states like Lagos, Kebbi, and Bayelsa in producing locally grown rice.
According to him, this effort is expected to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance livelihoods in the communities.
In his words: “This is a 200-hectare rice farm with farmers predominantly comprising women and youths from across Nigeria.”
He explained that each farmer was allocated one hectare, totalling 200 farmers in the cluster. The project, which began in April, has already yielded its first harvest, making it a three-month farming cycle.
The farm boasts a yield of seven metric tons per hectare, translating to approximately 1,400 metric tons of milled rice from 200 hectares, with an efficiency yield of 70 per cent.
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This output is estimated to produce around 20,000 bags of milled rice per cycle, valued at N1 billion.
Governor Abiodun projected that by increasing the farm size to 2,000 hectares, the project could generate N30 billion in annual revenue, moving Ogun State closer to becoming Nigeria’s food basket.
He emphasized that the project aligns with President Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to eradicating poverty and hunger by making food affordable and accessible.
He also noted that agriculture remains a priority for his administration, providing employment and raw materials for the state’s numerous industries.
In his speech, the governor assured that the farm would be equipped with solar pumps for boreholes and modern drones for effective pest control.
On the part of Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, she commended the initiative as a step toward ensuring food sufficiency in Ogun State.
Additionally, Finance Commissioner Dapo Okubadejo praised the farmers’ dedication, noting the project’s contribution to local food production.
The Project Coordinator, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odunsi highlighted the positive impact of the project on citizens’ lives and expressed gratitude to the governor for his support.
Similarly, the Olu of Magboro, Oba Modiu Alalade, acknowledged the project’s significance to the community, emphasizing the town’s capacity to expand farmland and contribute to Nigeria’s food security.
