ABEOCCIMA TO START MASS PRODUCTION OF OFADA RICE, AS A WAY TO DISCOURAGE RICE IMPORTATION
However, Ogun State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mrs Peju Adebajo while declaring open the forum,emphasized the importance of rice, as staple food, stating that it is consumable items available all over the world, which cannot be relegated among other food items.
Adebayo who was represented by Ogun State Project Coordinator of FADAMA 111, pointed out that no country can do without rice, adding that because of its importance, Ogun State Government has been supporting the project of rice production.
‘Everybody knows that rice is a universal food. It is available across the globe. It is for the young and the old, and no country can do without it, and it is in view of this our government support the project of production. I want to say with confidence that original Ofada rice is from Ogun State, and we shall continue to support mass production’
Penpushing further report that, another major event at the forum with the theme,’Upscaling Ofada Rice Production Through Value Chain Enhancement’ was the presentation of second edition of the chambers magazine, known as ABEOCCIMA News Magazine.
The lecture was delivered by Prof Sunday Adigbo from the Federal University of Agriculture,(FUNNAB),Abeokuta, while Albert Babs Adesanya, delivered a lecture on Ofada Rice production
Meanwhile, organizations present at the forum include; Millers Association ,Naccima Youth, Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, DFID and Ministry of Agriculture. Other notable individuals are; Moses Oluwalogbon-Enilolobo, Nureni Ogunbayo, Akinola Lawson,Olujare Oyesola, Christy Talabi,Jelilat Lawal,Babatunde Ajala,Alhaji Moruf Popoola and Neye Gbenga among others.