The Ogun State Government has invested N4billion to boost rice production.
Agriculture Commissioner, Mrs Adepeju Adebajo, made this known in a statement.
She said the government was ready to develop areas of high-quality rice products, using high technology.
She said the government is focusing on researching high-quality rice varieties and rice production technical package to reduce production cost, improve rice quality, protecting the environment and ensure sustainable agricultural reforms.
“This administration is encouraging the restoration of culture and heritage of our people, this include the production of indigenous variety ofada. Hence the government is leaving no stone unturned to promote and improve the production of ofada which has become the State’s brand.
Moreover, other varieties, such as Nerica 8 and Faro, which are short and long grain are also being promoted. This is to ensure that economic growth plan of the Federal Government of “eating what we grow” is realised in the state.”
The state, according to her, working with various development partners, such as World Bank through Fadama and International Fund for Agricultural Development Programne (IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), boosted rice production.
“This is apart from the public sector supported intervention which resulted in increasedhectarageunder cultivation. Prior to now, there was not much rice processing mills in the state.
“Farmers had to travel long distances to access the few that deploy old equipment which hinders quality. The establishment of the processing mills in at least one in each senatorial district will ensure the easy access by farmers, ensure quality assurance and traceability of products, she added.
