By Fatima Muraina

A expert in rice production, Mr George Oladipo has posited that Ondo State has all it takes to feed Nigeria with rice.

The expert noted that there is no reason the State cannot lead the nation in rice production and processing, and ensure food sufficiency, if some measures are put in place

Oladipo who is the Ondo State chairman, Sunshine Rice Farmers Association, stated this in an interview with The Hope in Akure, the State capital.

 He explained that rice farmers can produce massively to tackle hunger if they receive adequate support from government at all levels.

The chairman listed lack of necessary equipment and inputs as major clog in the wheel of massive production of rice, adding that rice farmers in the state have the capacity to feed the citizenry and also sell to other states.

“All our farmers are doing whatever they can through self-efforts. We need intervention in the areas of soft loans, provision of equipment, and herbicides.

“We need herbicides, implements, harvesters, planters, transplanters, and combined harvesters. We need a lot of equipment that can trigger rice production. If we have this equipment, it will skyrocket three times what we get now. These are the things that are being done in the northern part.

“We need to really concentrate. Proactive measures must be taken to ensure food security, especially in the area of rice production in Ondo State,” Oladapo stressed.

According to him, they are still expecting federal and state governments support as they have plans to empower farmers.

He said the price of rice is skyrocketing because the government has not focused on rice production and processing, where much needs to be done.

Oladapo urged the government to reach out to farmers directly through their associations and visit their farms to ensure they are actual farmers.

“The government should set up an implementation committee that will meet directly with the farmers, avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy. Agriculture is seasonal, and if you don’t apply the right solutions at the right time, you may not get the expected yield on those farms,” he added.

He also emphasised the need to establish an implementation committee as well as a joint committee from both the federal and state governments to oversee all farmers’ activities.

“Here in Ondo State, we have massive cultivable land for rice; so I see no reason why Ondo State cannot lead nationwide in rice production and processing,” he declared.