Date: 2009-03-17

Kwara and nine other States have been selected by the Federal Government of Nigeria for the mass production of rice in the country. This is part of the Federal Government’s efforts at ensuring food security in the country in view of the global trend of economic meltdown. 

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola disclosed this at Omu-Aran, while fielding questions from newsmen during a rally organized by the PDP in Irepodun Local Government Council in honour of Governor Bukola Saraki at the instance of the lawmaker. 

Makanjuola also disclosed that the Federal Government has recently signed a N160 Billion partnership agreement with Stallion Group from Thailand , as part of its food security programme.

Under this agreement, the Federal Government, he said was expected to cultivate a minimum of One million hectares of rice with the inclusion of Kwara State among the states to grow rice at an intensive level of the realization of government’s objectives in the area of rice production.

Makanjuola, who spoke extensively on other sundry issues, said the Federal Government has mapped out strategies in partnering with any state of the federation that is ready to pay its counterpart funding to boost agriculture across the country. 

He also unveiled his plans to establish a tractor hiring scheme to assist farmers in his constituency who want to embark on large scale farming for the overall interest of the people of the State.
 

Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor

17th March, 2009