ABEOKUTA – Residents of Eggua community in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun on Wednesday pledged its support to the state government in its efforts at ensuring food security through increased agricultural production.
The Eleggua of Eggua, Oba Michael Dosunmu, made the pledge on behalf of his community at a forum to mark the harvest of the NERICA 8 rice variety at Eggua.
The monarch commended the state’s government’s determination to boost rice production in the state.
He said the cultivation and harvest of the rice would encourage local farmers to put in more efforts in agricultural production. [eap_ad_2] “This harvest of NERICA 8 rice is the first of its kind in our community and we are highly delighted with this development.
“This gesture by the state government further assures us that the government will not relent in making the state better, especially in agricultural production,” he said.
He said that the community was receptive to developmental programmes, adding that the farmers were happy with the varieties of rice given to them by government.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Ronke Sokefun, said government was committed to making the state the food basket of the country.
The commissioner, who commended the farmers’ willingness to accept the innovation in rice production, expressed government’s readiness to continue to empower farmers.
“I am very happy that the cultivation of NERICA 8 rice has turned out to be a very good harvest and that our farmers are not disappointed.
“The government is indeed grateful for your support and we are encouraged to embark on more research in order to bring new development because we are sure you will make good use of it,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the Rice Farmers Association, Mr Ade Ojobo, expressed gratitude to the government for its support to local farmers in the state.
He said the NERICA 8 was a special variety and was welcomed by all rice farmers in the state.(NAN)[eap_ad_3]