Ogun’s Mitros Ofada and Parboiled Rice: Promoting food sufficiency

The agricultural revolution of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led government in Ogun State, received another boost, recently, with the launch of “MITROS OFADA AND PARBOILED RICE”, an effort to promote food sufficiency in the state, Nigeria and beyond in the area of massive rice production.

The state, blessed with a very large expanse of land from Imeko-Afon to Ogun waterside areas, has the potential to grow cotton, cassava, cocoa, rice amongst others.

Prior to the launch, which had in attendance the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and the chairman, Presidential Task Force on Rice and Wheat Production who also doubles as the governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu, a lot of effort to make the day a reality had been the main concern of the state government.

The rice pyramid within the venue of the launch was an indication that Ogun State was prepared to assist the efforts of the Federal Government in diversifying from the country’s crude oil, to other areas, especially agriculture.

The rice pyramid was first of its kind in the Southwest geopolitical zone, thereby recording another history for Ogun State under Amosun’s government.

Welcoming guests to the official launch, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Peju Adebajo, said MITROS Rice was borne out of the vision of the present administration in Ogun State towards ensuring food sufficiency.

She explained that the disposition of the state government in investing in agriculture attracted the support of partners such as the World Bank through FADAMA and IFAD through VCDP.

Adebajo said that the administration through the production of rice, especially Ofada local rice, was restoring the heritage and culture of the people.

“Since the inception of the present administration, giant strides have been made in investing in agriculture. Agriculture is one of the cardinal programmes of this administration. The disposition of the government has also attracted the support of development partners such as World Bank through Fadama and IFAD through VCDP.

“This administration is encouraging the restoration of the culture and heritage of our people; this includes the production of indigenous variety called ‘ofada.’ Hence the government is leaving no stone unturned in promoting and improving the production of ofada which has become the state’s brand.

“Moreover, other varieties such as Nerica 8 and Faro which are short and long grain, respectively, are also being promoted. This is to ensure that the economic growth plan of the Federal Government of eating what we grow is realised in the state,” she said.

Adebajo said the establishment of rice processing mills in the three senatorial districts would put an end to the challenges farmers were faced with in processing the grains. “Prior to this period, there was not much rice processing mills in the state. Farmers had to travel long distances to access the few that deployed old equipment which hindered quality. With the establishment of the processing mills with at least one in each senatorial district, this will ensure easy access by farmers; ensure quality assurance and traceability of products. In addition, the technology installed at the processing mills is cottage mills which can be easily managed and maintained by small holder farmers/processors. Moreover, the products that will emanate from the mills are of high quality and will meet Ogun standard,” she said.

In his goodwill message, the chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, Lawrence Osunkoya, lauded the initiative of the state government in promoting agriculture.

“Today, history is being made in our gateway state as we launch MITROS rice. Ofada is our own. It is not hybrid or foreign rice. Your Excellency, I want to specially congratulate you for a new dawn. It is a new step in a new direction. It is a confirmation that farming is now a business. Today’s launching shows the government position on agriculture.

“We can see and feel government support on prompt payment of counterpart fund for IFAD VCDP projects, FADAMA III ADF procurement of new bulldozers, tractors and the rice mills. Roads are being built by IFAD VCDP for our farmers. Ogun state farmers will feed Nigeria if given all the needed support as we are blessed with human, water and landed resources.

“As we go into the planting season, it is my appeal that the government should support rice farmers in the area of land allocation and development. We need additional 400 hectares for rice cultivation.

“To support what government has done today, mechanization is key and poor farmers do not have the means of doing it. Government should provide production implements like rice planters, harvesters, bird scaring devices. Also aggregation devices should be provided in our farms while existing processing centres should be upgraded,” he said.

Also speaking, the chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria in the state, Segun Dasaolu, said the launch of the MITROS Rice, had opened space for the growth of agriculture, not only in the state but in the Southwest and beyond.

He urged the state government to promote other commodities and tasked the Central Bank of Nigeria to always put the state in the front burner in the scheme of things relating to agriculture.

The traditional rulers at the event which included the Awujale and the Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland,Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, all commended Amosun’s government for another achievement recorded.

Oba Gbadebo thanked Amosun for bringing the years of lip service to the revival of agriculture to an end in the state.

He said “with the rice pyramid here in Ogun State, we are seeing the beginning of a greater country. With what we are witnessing today, steps are being taken to bring to an end several years of dependence on rice importation. “

While Oba Olugbenle assured that the traditional institution would continue to provide enabling environment for agriculture to thrive in the state, with Oba Ajayi calling all other state governors in the country to emulate the project.

Bagudu in his own remarks pointed out that the country had the potential to be self-sufficient in the area of rice production and other agricultural commodities.

He insisted that the nation’s economy must be diversified, submitting that the country could achieve with rice production.

“This Federal Government in the last two and half years recognised that we have to do things differently and President Muhammadu Buhari, assisted by his able Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and the Central Bank of Nigeria took steps to ensure that we begin to fund the real sector. And certainly, rice is one of such commodities.

Emefiele, however, restated the readiness of CBN to make cheap funding available to farmers at five per cent interest rate, while saying that any nation that failed to take agriculture seriously would fail.

“I am happy to be here to witness this giant stride demonstrated by the rice pyramid that is right behind me. The good people and governor of Ogun State deserve a round of applause.

“Ogun State has continued to demonstrate the urge to support the focus of this government to create jobs and to grow the economy. A country that does not take agriculture seriously is naturally an unserious country,” the CBN boss added.

Amosun in his address described the state as the home of massive production of ofada rice.

He said there has been high demand for the local rice (Ofada), not only by the people of the state, but the country as a whole.

“The production of MITROS RICE will, therefore, go a long way in making Ofada rice available, at affordable price, for people’s consumption. The new Ofada rice will be produced in a hygienic manner, and to high standards; and it will enjoy standardised packaging – in 1kg, 5kg,10kg, 25kg and 50kg bags – and bear the MITROS stamp of quality, signifying goods produced to the highest standards.

“You will agree with me that the absence of artificial inputs has made the domestically-produced rice natural and healthier for consumption than the imported rice. No doubt, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, wait until you taste this rice!” He added.