Kogi State Government’s drive at massive rice production is on course; as processed and packaged rice (Confluence Super Rice) is now for public sale sequel to the purchase of N8 million boilers and milling machine by the state government recently.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Agriculture who also oversees the state Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Professor Dominic Akpah, informed journalists in his office recently.
He said Governor Idris Wada’s “administration has keyed 100 per cent into the Federal Government agricultural transformation agenda and the objective is to develop agric through value change.’’
The governor’s aide recalled that when this administration came on board in 2012, it started with rice production by clearing about 20,000 hectares of land at Sarkin Noma and Kabawa areas of Lokoja, and had 500 metric tonnes of the crop in 2012/13 season.
He disclosed that after the harvest, the government had 60 per cent, while farmers took 40 per cent of the produce ‘’because government provided the inputs.’’
Professor Akpah hinted that in 2013/14 slight flood affected the rice farms and about 250 metric tonnes were harvested.
He disclosed that the Korean government assisted the state with some milling machines which could mill one tonne of rice daily but that Governor Wada purchased a boiler and a bigger milling machine for about N8 million which could mill up to 3.5 tonnes daily.
The aide who stated that ‘’the machines are fully installed and milling has started,’’ added that ‘’we are now in a position to sell rice to buyers.’’
He further explained that ‘’government won’t be a rice producer or farmer but the administration wants to demonstrate that rice can be produced and milled in the state.’’
He advised farmers to form cooperative societies to enable them enlarge their farms and procure milling machines, stressing that the extensive rice production since the administration came on board is unprecedented.
Akpah also informed journalists that the state government had also purchased some bulldozers, tractors and excavators geared towards massive food production in the state.
Speaking to newsmen, the Head of Department, Harvesting and Milling Session of Kogi State Rice Produce, Hajia Safiya Yahaya, revealed that 25kg and 10kg of the packaged rice go for N3, 500 and N1, 500 respectively.
She affirmed that ‘’Kogi Confluence Super Rice is in the market’’ adding that, ‘’it has no stones, no chemical and it is nutritious.’’
Culled from The Graphic
