Aregbesola Calls On Nigerians To Intensify Efforts On Food Production, Lays Foundation for Rice, Fertilizer Plant

The Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has charged Nigerians to change their attitude towards food production, so that the nation can be food sufficient in future.

Aregbesola gave the charge on Monday during the turning of soil for the foundation laying ceremony of “Sanrot Agri-Allied rice mill and Fertilizer Blending Plant” in Ijebu-Jesa.

The gesture which is among the production line of “Timsed group of companies has a capacity to provide over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for the people of the state.

Ogbeni Aregbesola also at the programme stressed on the need for the country to stop exporting raw materials and importing finished items, a situation which the governor says is contributing to the dwindling economic fortunes of the nation.

He explained that the rice mill which has the capacity to produce ten million tons of rice per annum will go a long way in providing a ready market for rice farmers in Osun and environs.

The Governor also commended the fertilizer blending plant saying it will be a major boost to the state’s economy as it will be able to produce about one hundred thousand metric tons of fertilizer when fully operational.

Ogbeni Aregbesola also used the occasion to charge Nigerian farmers to endeavour to always work together and come up with new innovation and ideas to improve on their farm produce for better market value.

“What we are doing today is significant because it marks the emergence of the largest rice mill in Nigeria and this is to our pride as a state.

“This rice mill can produce one thousand tons of rice per day, half a millions tons per week and about ten million tons per annum.

“This mill is big to the extent that Osun farmers alone can not produce the amount of rice that the mill can process, this will not only be useful for farmers in Osun but to farmers around Osun as well.

“I want to use this medium to charge Nigerian farmers to endeavour to always work together so that they can come up new innovations in farming for better productivity.

“This plant that Obeisun is bringing to Osun is a huge gain to our economy as it has the capacity to produce thousands of tons of fertilizer within the state”. Aregbesola stated.

In an address, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rotimi Obeisun Investment Limited, Chief Rotimi Obeisun stated that the drive by the Nigerian government to improve the economy of the country through agriculture made him to go into the rice processing and fertilizer plant buisness.

He said he decided to site the over multi million naira project in Ijebu-Jesa because of his desire to improve on the economy of the state of Osun, explaining that when fully operational, the two plants are expected to generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for the youths.

He thanked the president of the country, President Mohammadu Buhari for the agricultura policy of the present administration towards making the Agric sector the main stay of the nation’s economy in place of crude oil which is no longer viable.

He said,”that we are gathered here today to witness the historic ground breaking ceremony of two projects, both investments having a combined value of one billion dollars is a testimony of the imminent revival of Ijebu-Jesa and Osun in general.

The projects could have been sighted in Ibadan, Oyo state where I started my business exploit but i chose to add value to ancestral home by refusing to forget or ignore my roots as instructed by my late father.

Upon completion of the fertilizer blending plant and rice mill, we shall be creating at least 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for our teeming population which shall be a revival of employment opportunities for our people.

“I would like to thank the president of Nigeria for the agricultural policy which is making the country turn towards reviving the Agric sector and towards making it the main stay of our economy in place of crude oil which is no longer viable”. Obeisun explained.