http://www.imostateblog.com/2012/04/12/so-imo-state-will-engage-in-massive-rice-production-under-the-agricultural-transformation-programme-while-speaking-at-an-event-in-arondizuogu-recently-governor-okorocha-disclosed-that-the-governm/

So, Imo State will engage in massive rice production under the agricultural transformation programme. While speaking at an event in Arondizuogu recently, Governor Okorocha disclosed that the government had entered into negotiations with experts from Thailand to commence massive production and processing of rice at a location in Arondizuogu, Ideato North. He further stated that the goal was to ensure Imo produced enough rice for local consumption and commercial purposes.

Governor Okorocha also disclosed that the Arondizuogu Rice Mill had been taken over by the State government and with the aid of the experts, Imo will begin cultivation and processing of rice in commercial quantity.

Gov. Okorocha added that similar steps had been taken to ensure that each community in the state plants at least 20,000 improved palm seedlings. He noted that the ongoing Agricultural transformation would aid the state in becoming economically independent and create job opportunities for the unemployed youth.


In closure, the Governor restated the commitment of his administration to remain focused in the bid to rebuild Imo into a model state with vast investment opportunities.

It will be recalled that a few months ago, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the setting up of 100 large scale integrated rice mills across the country in the next 12 to 18 months. The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina disclosed that a team of Federal Government delegation to China led by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and four other cabinet ministers including himself, had sealed a deal with the Chinese government on the setting up of the rice mills.

According to the Honourable Minister, the decision was taken in line with the Federal Government’s fiscal policy of achieving self-sufficiency in rice production by 2015.

Nice to know that one of out of the 100 large scale integrated rice mills will be set up in Imo State!!