Ogun State, Nigeria, has taken a significant stride towards becoming a major rice-producing region in the country. The state has officially commenced large-scale rice production with the successful harvest of a 200-hectare rice farm located in Magboro, Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State officially kicked off the harvest, marking a crucial milestone in the state’s agricultural transformation. The rice production efforts are driven by the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), with support from the World Bank, aimed at stimulating economic growth, development, and food security within the state.
“This 200-hectare rice farm is a testament to Ogun State’s commitment to becoming a leading rice-producing region in Nigeria,” said Governor Abiodun. “The farmers here are primarily women and youths from various parts of the country, showcasing the inclusive and empowering nature of this project.”
Each farmer was allocated one hectare of farmland, resulting in a total of 200 farmers in this initial cluster. The project commenced in April 2024, with planting beginning in May, and the successful harvest was achieved just three months later, demonstrating the efficiency and timeliness of the initiative.
The governor revealed that the farm has a yield of seven metric tonnes per hectare, potentially translating to 1,400 metric tonnes of milled rice from the 200 hectares. With an efficiency yield of about 70 per cent, the rice farm could result in approximately 20,000 bags of milled rice per cycle, valued at around ₦1 billion. If replicated three times annually, the project could generate ₦3 billion in revenue.
“This is a significant step towards making Ogun State the food basket of the nation,” Governor Abiodun said. “From just 200 hectares that yielded ₦1 billion for 200 farmers, we can scale this project up to 2,000 hectares and generate ₦30 billion in revenue, ultimately helping to end hunger in Nigeria.”
The OGSTEP Agricultural Sector Intervention will provide crucial support to the farmers, including access to advanced agricultural techniques, quality seeds, modern irrigation systems, and technical training at a 65 per cent discount on mechanisation costs.
Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, commended the farmers for their dedication and noted that the project is integral to the state’s agenda of producing food locally to feed its growing population.
The project coordinator, Mosun Owo-Odunsi, highlighted the project’s goal of producing high-quality rice and its positive impact on citizens across various sectors. She expressed gratitude to the Ogun State Governor for his unwavering support in driving this transformative initiative.