President Jonathan commisions Africa's largest Rice farm in Nassarawa #nigeria

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday,
commissioned Olam Integrated Farms, a US$90 million
investment of a Singapore based foreign investor stretching
on the land size of 10,000 hectares in Ondorie-Rukubi area
of Doma in Nasarawa State, and reputed as Africa's largest
rice farm.
The president who visited the area stretching along the
plains of the Benue River, touched down on the airstrip
constructed by the investor to aid the takeoff and landing of
light aircrafts used in the planting and spraying of
chemicals on the fully irrigated and precision-leveled
commercial farm.
President Jonathan, who was flanked by the minister of
Agriculture, Professor Akinwumi Adesina, and Governor
Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as well as the management of the
farm, led by Mr. Regi George, commissioned both the farm
which has clocked three years now, as well as the newly
provided plant for processing of the produce.
The mill has the capacity to process 210,000 metric tones of
rice per annum.
The president expressed delight with the investment which
he promised full federal government's support, through
various ways including the designation of the farm as a
staple food processing zone.
He gave directives to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and
other allied ministries to jointly ensure its immediate
takeoff.
Jonathan hailed the investment as keying into the
administration's transformation agenda and urged similar
collaboration between states and the federal government to
develop agro-allied businesses especially land acquisition,
which he said is necessary for commercial scale farming.
He said his administration is working towards ensuring that
Nigeria becomes a net exporter of rice by the year 2020.
Governor Al-Makura whose government provided the
institutional support for the take off of the investment, said
the government "has fast-tracked, facilitated and eased the
process of land acquisition for OLAM Farms and other
investors."
"This is knowing the significance of the multiplier effect on
the economy of the State and Nigeria at large in terms of
employment opportunities, entrepreneurial development,
creation of agricultural-cum-commodity trading and other
associated value chain activities" he said.
Regi George said the farm uses 60 percent of its locally
grown content and 40 percent of out-grower content, for
processing at the plant.
He said they were currently employing 1,440 persons from
the local communities, explaining that they only look
outside the state for skills and expertise not available
locally.