Ogun partners Malaysia on 250 hectares rice plantation

Prompted by mission to feed the nation and to save Nigeria the whooping foreign exchange annually expended on rice importation, the Ogun State government has partnered Malaysian government on the establishment of 250 hectares of rice enclaves under the first phase, just as it expects massive investment in rice plantation and milling from various investors.

The state government has also secured N413.5 million from the International Development Association Fund as agriculture loans, to be distributed to hundreds of farmers across the state for improved food and cash crops production in addition to 10,000 hectares of agricultural land “to meet the needs of prospective agricultural investors in the state ,among others”.

Speaking at the just concluded 2014 Ogun State Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing in Abeokuta, Ronke Sokefun disclosed that government had also proposed establishment of cottage rice mills to promote good quality rice and encourage value addiction, thereby creating more direct and indirect jobs and improved gross domestic product.

Sokefun, who revealed that government had invested massively in livestock, livestock feed and cattle through poultry and beef multiplication projects (poultry breeding and hatchery at Kotopo in Abeokuta and Emuren in Ijebu as well as cattle breeding at Odeda farm settlement), said the steps were taken by government to improve food and cash crops production.

Meanwhile, the state government has begun upgrade project of its slaughter houses in major cities, namely, Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode Ijebu-Igbo, Isheri-Kara Lagos-Ibadan expressway, in line with international best practices and promoting quality health in its meat sector. The state government is to embark on a phased development and upgrade of its slaughter houses in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ijebu-ode, Ijebu-igbo and Isheri-kara.

According to her, a preferred corporate organisation has already been identified for the development and upgrade of the Lafenwa Slaughter House in Abeokuta which will be ready in seven months time at a cost of N507 million while the rest will also be upgraded through Public Private Partnership.

The commissioner also said refrigerated meat vans would soon be introduced to transport meat from different slaughter facilities to various markets in a clean and hygienic manner in order to curtail the spread of pathogens and reduce the risk of post abattoir contamination.

Sokefun also disclosed that various achievements of the State government included purchase of farming equipment for the use of farmers at highly-subsidised rates, rehabilitation of farm settlements, establishment of fish farms and cultivation of State-owned rice plantation at Eggua, just as she added that cassava multiplication project in Ibiade; cultivation of 50 hectares of Cocoa in Alagbagba and 50 hectares of cashew in Afon had begun.

RAZAQ AYINLA