Members of the Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN), Ondo State chapter have expressed their gratitude to the State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu over the N10m loan given to them to boost rice cultivation in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers, the Chairman of RIFAN in the state, Prince George Oladapo described the gesture as a step in the right direction and a big boost to rice farmers in the state.

According to him, Akeredolu has been able to fulfill his promises especially in the agricultural sector through various assistance to the farmers.

“I want to use this medium to propagate what he has really done. In the FADAMA section, he has been able to pay the counterpart fund which has enabled our rice farmers to access loans and equipment.

“I also want the people to know that there is a 500 hectares of land assigned for Sunshine rice at Igbaraoke and before the end of the second quarter, a mill will be in place in the area,” he assured.

Oladapo who said that Ondo state people should expect increase in rice cultivation noted that “we are going to eventually wipe out foreign rice from the market”.

“It will create more jobs, increase the internally generated revenue as well as create wealth in the rice value chain”, he stressed.

While saying that the interest rate was a single digit, Oladapo stated that it is in tandem with best practices adding that, that is what is agriculturally approved.

Oladapo said the association hopes to access more as soon as it offsets it within the next one year.

He called on would- be rice farmers to take advantage of the loan adding that they are welcomed into the fold.

He however thanked the management of Ondo state Micro credit Agency under the leadership of Mrs Kosemani Kolawole for the opportunity to access the loan.
Source:https://citadelng.com/ondo-rice-farmers-laud-government-over-loan/