Ogun Govt Seeks Collaboration With Rice Millers To Boost Production

Ogun State Government  has revealed its plan to collaborate with Association of Small and Medium Scale Modular Rice Millers (ASMORIN), in the areas of capacity building, linkage to financial institution, as well as support intervention, so as to boost production of local rice and crash high prices of one of Nigeria's staple foods  

The State Commissioner of Agriculture Development and Food Security, Hon.Bolu Owotomo made this known during the inauguration and installation of Southwest Executive of ASMORIN, held at Abeokuta South Local Government Secretariat, Ake.

Owotomo represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Samuel Adeogun pointed out that agricultural value chain was key to agricultural development and employment generation, reiterating the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s readiness to support Small and Medium Scale Enterprise, to develop the economy of the State.

According to the Commissioner, "For us as a government, we are ready to collaborate and link other critical stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to all the necessary areas that they will need our support".

He appealed to the Association to strengthen collaboration between the producers and processors, to develop paddy market and ensure its availability for rice milling, not leaving out facilitation of easy access to credit facility for rice production activities.

 Also speaking, the National President, ASMORIN, Alhaji Abubakar Gwarmai said inauguration of the new executive would strengthen small scale rice millers to enhance access to quality rice in the country, while imploring the government and other partners to support the Association towards achieving its objectives as a major employer of labour in the rice value chain.

Also speaking, a formal Chairman, Nigeria Association of Small Scales Industrialist and Chief Executive Officer, Ideal Business Network, Mr. Segun Dada, emphasised that small rice millers play a critical role in enhancing public access to quality rice, despite the numerous challenges being faced by them.