Ogun state empowers youths to upscale rice productivity

In the pursuit of post covid 19 food insecurity, the Ogun state Government has up scaled her support to over 1000 youths across the local council areas in the production of rice along all the value chains to ensure mass productivity, job and wealth creations.
This was made known by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Odedina in a statement made available after the visit to rice production area at Eggua in Yewa North Local Government of the state.

Odedina said that cleared lands for cultivations with inputs were made available to the interested youths, while one rice milling machine has been installed  saying that ‘’Ogun State is currently supporting over 1,000 youths in the rice production locations in the Local Government; in addition to existing farmers in primary rice production with linkage to mechanization, input and credit.

This is in addition to the Anchor Borrowers Programme in Rice Value Chain, being proposed in other locations. There are also two Rice Mills: one completed, while the other is being installed, and is to be managed by youths who opted for rice off-taking and processing opportunities in the Local Government’’

He added that ‘’ Government has facilitated Rice Mills across the State, and there is no longer need to travel far and wide for paddy sourcing. The current rice production activities in Obafemi/Owode and Yewa North Local Government Areas will provide jobs for at least 3,000 people in Ogun State. The Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) on Rice Value Chain in other locations is expected to provide additional 3,000 jobs, totalling 6,000 jobs on Rice Value Chains in the State’’

The Commissioner reiterated that  Government through the Governor is committed to ensuring food security and providing jobs for the youths with enabling environment, adding that credible and sustainable sources of raw materials for Agro Investors in Ogun State especially during the current economic downturn and pandemic declaration is inevitable.