Ogun State has officially joined the ranks of rice-producing states in Nigeria with the launch of the harvest from a 200-hectare rice farm at Magboro in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.
This farm is an initiative under the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, backed by the World Bank, and aimed at fostering economic growth and progress within the state.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abiodun stated that with this launch, Ogun State is not only aligning with states like Lagos, Kebbi, and Bayelsa in producing locally grown rice but also advancing economic growth, generating employment, and improving community livelihoods.
He remarked, “This is a 200-hectare rice farm. The farmers involved are mainly women and youths from various parts of the country, not just Ogun State.
“Each farmer was allotted one hectare of farmland; this means we have 200 farmers working together in this cluster. The project kicked off in April this year. They began planting in May, and today we are already harvesting, completing a three-month cycle. This allows us to harvest three times annually.”
Governor Abiodun highlighted that the farm’s seven metric ton yield per hectare translates to 1,400 metric tons of milled rice for the 200 hectares, with an efficiency rate of around 70 percent, equating to approximately 20,000 bags of milled rice per cycle.
“With 20,000 bags of milled rice per cycle, the estimated value is about N1 billion. So, these 200 farmers, composed of women and youths from across the nation, can generate N1 billion in just three months. If they repeat this process three times this year, their earnings could reach N3 billion. There’s no reason for hunger in Nigeria.
“In this region, we have 12,500 hectares of land, and we’ve only cultivated 200 hectares, which produced N1 billion for 200 farmers. From this farm alone, we can feed the entire country. We will quickly expand this project from 200 to 2,000 hectares.
“We can generate N30 billion in revenue, making significant strides toward establishing Ogun State as the food basket of Nigeria,” he added.
The governor stressed that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s goal to eliminate poverty and hunger by providing affordable food to Nigerians. He added that the project, besides boosting rice production, would also address livestock management.
Governor Abiodun highlighted that the state is endowed with skilled labor and abundant natural resources, and agriculture remains a central focus of his administration, providing jobs and raw materials for the many industries within the state.
He explained that the OGSTEP Agricultural Sector Intervention would offer essential support, including modern agricultural practices, access to quality seeds, advanced irrigation systems, and technical training for farmers, with these benefits provided at a 65 percent discount on the cost of each mechanization operation.
While commending the communities for supporting the project, the governor assured that the farm would be equipped with solar pumps for the boreholes and modern drones for efficient pest control.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, stated that the project aligns with the agricultural policy of the Abiodun administration, aimed at ensuring food security for the people.
Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, praised the farmers for their commitment, noting that the project is part of the agenda to produce food locally to feed the population.
The Project Coordinator, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odunsi, noted that the project, which aims to produce high-quality rice, would positively impact citizens across various sectors, and expressed gratitude to the governor for providing necessary support.
In his goodwill message, the Olu of Magboro, Oba Modiu Alalade, acknowledged the significant impact the project has had on the local communities, stating that the town has ample farmland to accommodate more farmers and contribute to sufficient food production for the country.
