The Ogun government says arrangements are on to introduce its branded rice into the market before December.

Mr Tosin Ademuyiwa, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, disclosed this to newsmen in Abeokuta on Friday.

Ademuyiwa said that rice would be available following massive planting of the commodity during the rainy season.

He said that the commodity branded, ‘MITROS rice’ would be produced and packaged in the state.

Ademuyiwa explained that harvesting of 1,500 metric tonnes of rice had began in various rice farms at Eggua in Yewa axis and Onigbedu in Ogun Central.

“At Eggua rice farm, rice will be harvested from 262 hectares of farmland while 110 hectares are at Onigbedu rice farm.

“Another 100 hectares of rice farm will be harvested at Iloti Ijebu within the next one month.

“The harvesting of rice will reduce the dependence of the state on imported rice and reduce its price in various markets, ” he said.

Ademuyiwa also said the state government was working hard to solve the problems associated with clearing of farmland by making land available for agricultural purpose.

Government, he added, also promised to provide inputs and processing facilities for farmers to ease the challenges facing the sector.

9ice development