₦airaland Forum

The state is also through its agricultural projects is creating jobs for rural women and youth.

The Ogun State Government has supplied and installed two sets of rice processing equipment at Moloko-Asipa in Obafemi Owode Local Government and Ago-Iwoye in Ijebu-North Local Government areas to boost rice production in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ronke Sokefun, made this disclosure Wednesday during the ministerial briefing on the achievements of her ministry since the inception of the present administration in the state two years ago.

She said, aside from this, government has also carried out farm mechanization services and sold over 500 metric tons of different brands of fertilizers to farmers at approved subsidized rates to enhance the growth of their crops.

Mrs. Sokefun disclosed further that government has, through the Fadama III project, affected the lives of beneficiaries positively and created jobs for rural women and youth.

“Because government has remained committed to prompt payment of counterpart funds for the Fadama III project, income of beneficiaries has increased by 61.4% and income from value addition to agricultural production by 25.4%, while 90.8% Fadama farmers have access to market information on inputs and agricultural outputs.

“The activities of various Fadama User Groups, FUGs, and Fadama Community Associations, FCAs, have also created 19,963 jobs in rural areas for 8,800 women and 1,500 youths,” she said.

She added that following the payment of N143.5mn counterpart fund by the State Government which covered 2009-2012, the Fadama communities had drawn a total of N413.5m of the International Developmental Association, IDA, funds for developmental activities such as the construction of culvert and bore-holes.

In a bid to boost agricultural self sufficiency in its state, the government of the State of Osun has concluded arrangements for the commencement of a viable Rice Village and production of Osun Rice, in a project that closely resembles the Lagos state Rice for Job initiative, with a view to feeding even people of Lagos state.

Obviously, one cannot under-estimate the huge pleasure Nigerians derive from eating rice, a most staple food welcomed in virtually every home.

So in the bid to getting on the right track of rice production, Mr. Ayoade Popoola, a passionate rice farmer in Iwo, State of Osun, shares his expertise with SuccessDigest.

Why Rice Farming?
"Before my retirement, as the Director, Research and Extension, Osun State Agricultural Development Programme, I have been into crop production, especially rice for the past 10 years and I have participated in various farming adaptive researches involving IITA for the rice we are planting here in Nigeria and the whole of Africa.

I have also participated in "Participative Varietal Selection" to know the best rice for Africans and most especially Nigerians. So, I have worked with IITA on rice for many years and after my retirement, I went into full scale rice farming production, both for the Federal and State Governments."

As far back as 1986, when still in the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the then Oyo state, he was the Quality Control Officer for the production of rice and has been producing rice seeds.

Meanwhile, now back to Osun State, he was the Senior Subject Matter Specialist on crops. So, with the help of the government, allowing civil servants’ involvement in farming, hence his interest and involvement in rice production.

Farming Conditions In Rice - Seasons, Fertility And Pests...
“Unfortunately, people are used to running away from rice production, most especially because of the major rice pest - Granivorous birds.

So, the State of Osun has taken the rice production bull by the horn, as no stone is left unturned. In those days in Osun State, upland rice was planted there - but lowland rice has taken over.

"Interestingly, I can tell you that we have lots of lowland areas in Osun State - when you go to Ogbaagba, Songbe and in all the Local Government Areas in the state, lowland rice is being planted.

This is owing to the fact that it yields more - for instance, if you get two tons on one hectare of upland rice, you can get four to six tons on one hectare for lowland.

"Where we are now looking at for planting is the swampy areas - in the sense that when it rains, erosion would have flooded and washed away the nutrients to the lowland.

So, the water-logged area becomes useful and there is need for us to leave the place for at least a period of two months before use."

One of the factors giving Osun State upper hand in rice production is the ability to adhere to a proper timing system for this lowland rice - it would have been nursed in February and March.

With this, the birds won't have anything to feed on when it germinates. But now, rice is planted in March, August or early September. So, the birds won't have access to the rice because there are other crops for them to feed on.

Again, one special thing here is that, there is need for harvesting on time, between December and January also to safeguard the rice from these birds. Not that alone: farmers make sure there is no tree on their farms, because the birds land on the tree to perpetrate their havoc.

How Lucrative Is Rice Farming?
According to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture of Nigeria, Akinwumi Adesina "If I do not achieve anything else in agriculture, I will make sure I achieve a lot in rice production."

This has really been reflected in the State of Osun, as farmers there have been taking their share. In Osun State, there is enough land for rice production; enabling environment, coupled with the support from government - so, the production of rice seeds in Osun State is stable.

The Federal Government buys from the state and the state is into exportation as well.

Still on the profitability, Mr. Popoola said, "I am a living testimony, as I can tell you that the money I made when I retired into rice production within two years, I didn't make it for the whole thirty five years I have actively served.

"Let's take for instance, you spent N70,000 to produce one hectare of rice and you are able to get at least and at worst two metric tons and you sell for N115,000 per ton - you now know that you have made enough gain.

"So, there is no need to panic about the ready market for your return - the State of Osun has the ready market for rice farmers' production.”

Report further has it that the Federal Government has prepared and approved two sites for marketing farmers' products in the state - one in Ogbagba, Olaoluwa Local Government and Erinoke, Oriade Local Government.

The areas have been surveyed already for farmers to market their produce, after it has been processed at the rice mill. "Presently, I have at least three rice companies that are expecting my rice, even I can't meet their demand - we have companies we are producing seed for, so that farmers will be able to get very high yielding varieties of rice to plant," Mr. Popoola said.

Meanwhile, the situation on ground now is that almost 80 percent of rice production after planting go to harvesting and processing. In this area, the Ogbeni Aregbesola administration has done a lot for rice farmers in the State of Osun, hence we have a Rice Village here in Ogbagba.

The Governor has acquired more than 380 acres of land at Ogbaagba, Olaoluwa Local Government; he has provided seeds and chemicals - every interested farmer can come to that place now, where we have lots of farmers planting rice.

Processing
As a result of the training he has acquired, Mr. Popoola is of the opinion that our localy processed rice is the same as the ones processed throughout the world.

"If you will agree with me, the imported rice today has been stocked in their silos for years, but when our rice is processed, people demand for it immediately, this makes our rice ,more nutritious than the imported rice - our rice has 13 percent protein, while the imported has less than 10 percent.

"So, hopefully, early next year, with the processing support of government in the State of Osun, we will have Osun Rice and we will start feeding people in other states, most especially in Lagos. Even, many people in Lagos have been coming to Osun to participate in rice production - this is because we have more fertile lands than Lagos State.

"As farming is now a business, unlike in time past where people tagged it as a badge of poverty – here you can earn sustainable living with rice farming. Even youths in the state have been "eye-opened". For instance, two of my sons, who are graduates, are now fully involved in farming rice to be precise."

Also, to buttress the full participation of youths in Osun in rice farming, when Mr. Popoola bagged an award as "Distinguished farmer of the year" at the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; he requested for five students. “The students are now in my farm producing rice," he said.

In another development, the Plateau State Rice Farmers' Assoiation of Nigeria (RIFAN) has received about 2,000 bags of improved seedlings from the Federal Government through the Agriculture and Rural Development Programme.

In his comment, the State Chairman of RIFAN, Mr. Joshua Bitrus noted that the 2,000 bags were meant for five major rice farmers whom the ministry had carefully selected from the state, taking 400 bags each.

But with a view to sharing the seeds among other farmers, the major beneficiaries have decided to take 100 to 150 bags, allowing other registered groups under RIFAN access to the seeds.

He added that aside the capacity workshop, organized to equip farmers with current techniques in rice production, leasing out of 50 hectares of land and government-given-enablement for self-sufficient rice production; there has been the approval of two rice mills and two 72 horsepower tractors under the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES).

Mr. Bitrus further explained that for the tractors and rice mill machines, beneficiaries are to pay 50 percent, while both the federal and state governments would incur the remaining 50 percent.

By implication, these various government initiatives would boost rice production in the country, alongside improving the economic status of individual farmers, if really and optimally utilized, with a view to stopping importation of rice by 2015.

Aareonakakanfo:
Iya Agba mii si ni Ondo ke

FreeGlobe:
cry me a river Ilekeh. you people think we are Yorubas that are afraid of fulani. we always walk the talk. Why are Yorubas anti biafra? Are you afraid to stay alone or with your fulani masters?

Following Dangote’s $1billion investment in rice production in Nigeria, another company has pledged to invest about N2.2 billion in cultivating about 25,000 hectares of land at Akotogbo in Ondo state with a promise to create 2500 jobs.

Speaking on the project, the Chairman of Wems Agro Companies, Rotimi Wemi-Akinsola, said Nigeria has a vast arable land and lots of water to plant rice.

But, he regretted that the country does not produce up to 15% of the 22.5 million bags of rice consumed in the country monthly.

“Rice growing and consumption historically has been based in south East Asia, where most of the world’s rice is still grown.

The fast growing market is sub – Saharan Africa (SSA) where rice production falls far below consumption and where the FAO forecasts that rice will be the largest staple food by 2030.”

He added “Nigeria’s per capital consumption is estimated to be 78 kg per capital giving a total consumption of 6.1m tones for 2014. Half of this, 3 million tones, is imported at N356 billion it is accepted a heavy burden on the Nigerian balance of payments. “

Rotimi Wemi-Akinsola noted that his company is investing in the rice project in Ondo with the intention of taking advantage of the Nigerian market opportunity and help it become self sufficient in rice as well as helpdevelop a profitable agricultural industry in Ondo State.

“There is no history of rice production in Ondo State although the weather and soil conditions are suitable. Wems Agro will be introducing rice production having found suitable available land.

This will bring employment and social benefit, introduce a new agricultural technology to the state, act as an economic centre and be profitable to all concerned.”

Agricultural technology

He disclosed that rice production will be based on a sustainable System of Rice Intensification (SRI) methodology, together with a 2 – year rotation, where rice is grown twice in a year and this will be followed by one year of a green manure fertility building crop.

“600 ha will be cultivated in 2015, this relatively small area will ensure Wems Agro establish best work practices. A rain fed system will be used in years 2015 – 17 followed by the introduction of irrigation in 2018 to allow for two crops per year.”

He added that the initial project has a target of 5400 hectares in rice production, cropped twice a year, with a further 5,400 hectares in the fertility – building phase.

Speaking on the yield estimates, Wemi-Akinsola said yields will be relatively low at four tones per hectare to take into account, what the Japanese call, ‘New Rice Disease’. “This is a syndrome whereby the yield is commonly found to be low when rice is first introduced to new land.”

He said their forecasts yields thereafter, are conservative at five tones per hectare for rain fed rice and six tones per hectare for irrigated rice. The expectation is that these will be easily achieved and surpassed.

SUSTAINABILITY

Wemi-Akinsola disclosed that one of the major aims of the project is to produce rice as sustainably as possible with low unit costs of production to enable rice to be processed and marketed at an affordable price.

He explained that System of Rice Intensification (SRI) they will be using reduces seed costs, input costs, water usage, and at the same time increases production by up to 30 percent “As a point of interest, an Indian farmer, who is using SRI, has achieved a yield of 14 tones per hectare, this is the world record for rice production.

The system has the added social benefit of providing local employment in the weed control phase to a large number of people.”

He added “In the WEM AGRO business model it is the local community who will be contracted to hand weed the rice. Hand weeding is much more effective than tractor mechanical weeding and is an important step in SRI cultivations.

“It is hoped that this project will act as catalyst for the region to become a hub of sustainability. The project will grow from 600 ha in year one to 5400 ha (double cropped) in year five, and produces profits from year one.”

The Ondo State government says it has put all necessary arrangement in place to commence production of rice in January, 2015.

Disclosing this at the end of year press briefing, the Chairman, Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), Mrs. Bolanle Olafunmiloye said the agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture was partnering with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) on the production.

She noted that the MARDITECH would commence the cultivation of 500 hectare of land for the rice production at Owena Dam area in Igba-Oke, Ifedore local government area.

She said this would also help in boosting the internally generated revenue of the state and create employment opportunity for the youths.

Olafunmiloye disclosed that the agency would be using part of the N2billion fund it got from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) commercial agricultural credit to finance the project.

The WECA Chairman, while commending the federal government for encouraging local product, said the state government would do everything possible to support those local producers in the state.

On the other activities of the agency for next year, she explained that they would embark on rapid rehabilitation of the Ore, Auga, Isuada and Epe Agro Business Cities in order to keep in line with the vision of transforming it to international standard.

She also said “we plan to intensify the promotion of goods and products made in the state to encourage the private sector and also organise the 2015 edition of the Made in Ondo fair with more participation from enterprises and businesses in the state.

“All through these activities, our Profarmers and Agroprenurs will be involved in extensive training and participation. Approval has already been given to engage an additional 300 young graduates in the first quarter of the year under the WECA/SURE-P GIS collaboration”.

She, however, encouraged the Profarmers and Agropreneurs to continue to participate actively in all the activities of the agency.

EUROBOMBER:
You're an ediot; I overestimated you.
Do you know why I called you?

EUROBOMBER:
You're an ediot; I overestimated you.
Do you know why I called you?

EUROBOMBER:
You're an ediot; I overestimated you.

Do you know why I called you?

Aareonakakanfo:
Holy Cow! The bigfrancis character responded to my CabbieAC account yesterday when I told him to move the thread back to where it belongs.He told me to post the link

Sall:
I THINK IS HIGH TIME THE SOUTHWEST ( YORUBA) SHOULD START A MOVEMENT #BIAFRAMUSTGO. IN MASS FROM THE ENTIRE WEST ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 25TH

EUROBOMBER:
IlekeHD

Allosaurus:
[s][/s]
Comprehension is your problem. I said Fayose is the ONLY Yorroba man with balls. How many dicks did you share with your mom last night, anyway?
Morning

Afam4eva:
The election has not even been conducted. This is close to 7 months down the line and in your mind Buhari has not taken off. I don't even have much problems with Buhari save for the obvious mistreatment of my people. I supported him but I'm not blind.

Aareonakakanfo:
The worst part of it is that 5 out of the 6 South-west states are on Red(Shortfalls) and some Yoruba otondos be jumping on biafran threads insulting romanis forgetting our own issues.Awon otondo meji

They won't talk about their own issues, instead they jump around the whole place calculating Anambra figures whether it's higher than that of South-west states.Some of our people no dey shame

Iya Agba we can make non white-collar jobs look cool if we can modernise them.Its all about packaging.If you want to be a carpenter, be an educated carpenter.

The victimization of sport prospects has reduced drastically now that parents know how much their kids can make as footballers

quimicababes:
No be population...some of those states have similar or lower population...those governors are just not fiscally sound. .Osun doing a budget at 201 billion with a revenue stream of 60 billion no be population but madness.Can't even call it a deficit budget...cuz its ridiculous.Yes you want to develop the state but not by plunging it into heavy debt...especially for capital projects dt no bring in income initially.

quimicababes:

Aareonakakanfo:
I can see you're not okay.40s ni o ba pee.Olobe!

Agbaje is a bonobo

Let me digress a little bit, se o ti ta Rayman Origins,Rayman legends, ati Leo's fortune

Aareonakakanfo:
Which days are you talking about? You mean our days?

The Ambode guy looks like he's here to mess up all of Fashola's work.

I remember watching his pre-election debate with Agbaje, I wasn't really impressed

Agbaje was really eloquent and came up brilliant ideas but he was a fffff.oooooo.lll so fv.ck his Ideas

But I'll still give Ambode some time though,I think its still too early to rate him.The Governor of Lagos is like the Governor of Nigeria so he has a lot on his shoulders

Aareonakakanfo:
I'm ttired mehn.I even hate the colors more.Dirty students love uniforms like that

If I hear say Mulero wash him brown uniform

There's some improvement in the uniforms worn in Lagos schools tho

Aareonakakanfo:
Iya Agba you wan lie say you sef no wear am before you jand?

Aareonakakanfo:
He started well but messed up big time along the line.He has a really bad team.I like him though especially when I see pics like this

Aareonakakanfo:
Iya Agba where have you been?

https://38.media.tumblr.com/ba8bfd13ee86e143d49ae10f841cfad6/tumblr_n8jolfyxBg1svy70xo1_500.gif

CSTR2:
Yorubas were nowhere listed in the same breathe with the igbos in this article.