Ondo Rice Farmers Harvest 300,000 Tonnes- Major Increase

Ondo State chairman of Sunshine Rice Association, Prince George Oladapo has disclosed that rice production in the state is on the increase, as many farmers are currently harvesting not less than 300,000 tonnes.

Particularly, he said there have been an upsurge in the number of rice farmers in the state in recent time.

He said that the state at present could boast of average 15,000 rice farmers which he projected could double before next season going by the rate at which people have shown interest in rice farming as a result of the huge market and favourable price.

He said the development will definitely force down the price of rice soon.

Oladapo assured that the current price of the nation’s branded rice would not last as he called on the consumers to exercise patience with local rice farmers and processors.

Reacting to complaints by some people that farmers failed to reduce the price of the commodity as promised, some rice farmers and processors in the state who spoke with The Hope attributed the high price to excessive rainfall experienced this year which wiped off many farms, while some said it is as a result of cost of production.

Recalled that the President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Aminu Goronyo called on Nigerians two months ago to expect a crash in the price of the commodity, saying “we have a bumper harvest we never had before” and that it will crash the price to nine thousand naira per 50kg bag in three weeks.

Secretary to Ondo State Federated FADAMA Community Association, Mr Boluwade Ogunbodede who attributed the exorbitant price of the commodity to cost of production said processors run their mills mainly on diesel making the cost of production higher than necessary.

Ogunbodede added that excessive rainfall experienced in the year wiped off most farms leaving some farmers with almost nothing.

He assured that the price of Nigerian rice will come down as time goes on since more people are embracing rice cultivation in the country coupled with the assistance from government.

“I just arrived from a meeting with the Central Bank of Nigeria held in Abuja. There are many rice anchors now from all over the country. I saw a lot of farmers and with that I know it is possible for Nigerians to grow rice that will feed us and even export,” he stressed.

When asked why some local rice are of poor quality, Ogunbodede noted that some farmers still process the product the old way because what they plant is small. He said further that most Nigerian rice could compete with foreign rice while some are even better.

Coordinator of CMS Cooperative Society, producer of mainland rice in Akure, Mr Omotayo Alonge affirmed that the variety being produced in Nigeria is one of the best which according to him is better than most foreign rice.

Alonge who believed that the current price is reasonable considering what goes into the production, stated that the price will come down with time saying “we are just coming up”.

He commended Nigerian rice farmers who work all days to meet the demands of the populace, adding that they have more than enough to feed Nigerians till the end of the year and beyond.

Others who spoke described the step of the Federal Government to close the border as a blessing advising that government should not bow to pressure from any quarter.

They also appealed to Nigerians to bear with them in the area of price saying it would come down with time.

Source:https://citadelng.com.ng/2019/12/09/ondo-rice-farmers-harvest-300000-tonnes-major-increase/