Worried by different claims and counter claims arisen from misinformation behind the 200 hectares of Rice farmland at Magboro in Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun State, some rice Farmers have condemned the misrepresentation of facts by a section of news media.
The farmer who spoke to newsmen at the farmland over the weekend said the State government actually provided the training through its Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), linking them with how to assess funds and other logistics.
Speaking with newsmen, the head of the Hausa community in Alubarika Rice Farm Cluster, Bello Zabarmawa, refuted claims of complete ownership and management of the Ogun 200-hectare rice farm.
Contrary to a report circulating on the internet, the Kebbi State businessman stated that the rice plantation is not completely his project and the state government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, has consistently provided support for them.
Zabarmawa, said over 200 farmers of different ethnic backgrounds had contributed and were cultivating the field.
He maintained that the state government had brought the tractor, harvesters and paid 65% for fertilizers and chemicals.
Zabarmawa said, “I saw some social media posting online that I said the government did not help farmers that’s not true. When we start this we haven’t done anything, it was the government that brought tractors to help us, after that for chemicals and fertilizers the government paid 50% while the farmers were to pay the remaining 50% and when they couldn’t I borrowed them the sum of N30 million to pay .
“We have 200 members who did their registration and we have their names each of them covers 1 hectare and they are not just Hausa we have Igbo and Yoruba.
“When the rice reached the harvesting stage, I called the Young Agro Service informing them and the government brought three harvesters for us. I didn’t say the government never supported me even looking at the farm you would see the government’s support, so people should not lie on me.
He noted that due to the state government’s support, he left his hometown to do business in Ogun, adding ” I told them about all the government has done for us and even called on the government to do more to help Nigerians overcome the country’s food shortage”.
Adelowo Salam, the chairman of the farm said the report that Zabarmawa personally owns the farm is not true as the tractor, planter and harvester belongs to Young Agro, the service provider.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Young Agro Services Enterprise, Ajibola Johnson said, he was selected by the state government in 2023 to offer services to farmers in Obafemi Owode, Remo North, Sagamu and Ikenne local government area which the rice farm is one of them.
“The services we rendered started from plowing, spraying and planting commodities. I brought in Six tractors and three harvesters to work on the rice farm and they paid me 35% while the government paid 65%
He said the report from the news media is politically motivated, adding that all 200 farmers although not having sufficient capital supported the process.
He said due to what we are performing in this land the Ogun state government was moved, and also promised to expand the land.
“On Monday I was called to see how we can expand this farm to reduce food insecurity.
He confirmed that the 65 provided by the government percent is a grant to farmers and over 1000 farmers have shown intentions to participate in the scheme.
Also, the Treasurer of the Farm, Kanayo Cynthia Olarotimi , said some of the farmers borrowed money from Alhaji Bello in order for them to meet the 35% commitment, while, the government gave 65 percent.
She said no physical cash was given to the people, but government provided the level playing ground for the project like provision of fertilizer, the training through the OGSTEP and other logistics.
