AFAN acquires 200 hectares of land in Epe for rice farming

Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos State chapter, Femi Oke has disclosed that the association has acquired 200 hectares of farmland in Epe area of Lagos State for the cultivation of rice.

Oke, who made the disclosure while addressing journalists in Lagos, said the land was obtained under a five-year lease agreement.

According to him, the move is part of the association’s effort towards contributing to the nation’s rice production capacity.

Oke praised the Federal Government for its border closure policy, adding that it has opened up opportunities for local farmers.

He said: “We have encouraged our members to cultivate rice no matter how small it is to contribute and increase the number of metric tonnes produced in the country.

“No area of agriculture should be left out, for instance, AFAN members are into aquaculture, poultry, vegetable, piggery, cattle rearing, rice and many other areas of farming.”

Oke, however, called on the Lagos State Government to provide machinery like bulldozers and tractors as well as improve road infrastructure in order to ease the plight of farmers in the state.

“We need the government’s support to clear the land, create a road and make it accessible for farming. If the government concentrates more on extension services, there will be more food security in 2020,” he added.