As part of efforts to boost food security and promote local sourcing of raw materials for industrial use, the Ogun State government has promised to provide necessary support for members of the More Agro Multipurpose Co-operative Society, Ijebu-Ode who are currently working on planting Sorghum on a 150 hectares of land at Idanke, Apoje Farm Settlement, Ijebu-Igbo area of the State.
Recall that Ogun State had joined the league of Sorghum-producing States last year, when the Co-operative Society announced it had successfully planted the cereal grain plant for the first time in the State, a breakthrough, because Sorghum was perceived in the past as a product which thrives only in the northern Savannah region.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola gave the assurance during a joint-visit to the Farm Settlement with the State Co-ordinator, Raw Materials Development and Research Council (RMDRC), Mr. Kayode Abiola stating that the government would provide technical know-how that would aid the farmers exceed their past harvest.
Represented by the Director of Investment, Ms. Yemisi Folarin, Aikulola added that the government would also work on providing adequate security so as to proactively avert any likely farmers-herders clash which may impede the Sorghum plantation adding that the State was also willing to link the society with members of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) who may be interested in entering into an offtaker arrangement with the group.
” The Ogun State government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun is interested in projects like this which will provide food for our people, enhance food security and also boost the State’s industrial growth. We look forward to working with them and supporting them to succeed,” Aikulola said.
The Permanent Secretary who lauded the Society for its efforts called on more farmers to consider planting crops which are needed by industries in the State explaining that doing so, would be mutually profitable for them while also helping the industries to profitably and sustainably produce their products.
Also Speaking, State Co-ordinator, Raw Materials Development and Research Council (RMDRC), Mr. Kayode Abiola said the Council was willing to provide technical support to the Co-operative Society farmers which would add value to the Sorghum and also boost local content development in Ogun State.
Earlier addressing the visiting team, the Chairman, More Agro Co-operative Society, Ijebu-Ode, Mr. Kolawole Adebukunla said the Society through its offtaking agreement with the Nigerian Breweries Plc had last year planted Sorghum on 130 hectares of land at the Apoje Farm Settlement.
Adebukunla stated that the Society was focused on building on the lessons learnt from its planting experience last year by planting early between June and August adding that the Society was in need of government assistance in the area of cheaper tractorisation of the farm, technical support and provision of other beneficial tools.