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Hon. Waliu Owode Meets with Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RFAN) Ijebu East Chapter to Address Farming Challenges

Ijebu East, Ogun State – March 15, 2025 – Hon. Waliu Owode, Member of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Ijebu East Local Government, held a crucial meeting with members of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RFAN) Ijebu East Chapter on Friday, March 14, 2025. The meeting, aimed at addressing the challenges faced by rice farmers in the region, highlighted the need for urgent government intervention to boost agricultural productivity and economic activities in the area.

In attendance were key representatives of the RFAN, including:

  • Mr. Kunle Taiwo, Rice Farmer
  • Mr. Kolawole Omotayo, Farmer
  • Mr. John Afolabi Kolawole, Chairman, RFAN Ijebu East Chapter

Key Points of Discussion

During the meeting, Hon. Owode commended the state government for opening up over 35 hectares of marshlands for rice farming through the Value Chain Development Program (VCDP). However, he acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by farmers, which have hindered the full utilization of these lands and led to a decline in rice production.

  1. Excessive Flooding:
    Farmers in Ijebu East have been grappling with excessive flooding, which washes away rice seedlings during the rainy season. The flooding occurs because the stream in the area exceeds its channel annually, rendering only about 1 acre of land farmable during the rainy season.
  2. Lack of Irrigation:
    During the dry season, the land becomes unfarmable due to the absence of irrigation systems to keep the soil moist. This dual challenge of flooding and drought has forced many traditional rice farmers to relocate to other regions, leading to a significant reduction in rice output yearly.
  3. Off-Takers Challenge:
    Mr. John Afolabi Kolawole, Chairman of RFAN Ijebu East Chapter, highlighted the difficulty farmers face in selling their produce due to the lack of reliable off-takers. This has further discouraged farmers and contributed to the decline in rice production.
  4. Poor Road Infrastructure:
    The roads leading to the farming communities are in a deplorable state, making it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets. This has exacerbated the economic challenges faced by the farmers and hindered the growth of the agricultural sector in the region.
  5. Rice Milling Challenges:
    A critical issue raised during the meeting was the lack of rice milling equipment in Ijebu East. Farmers currently have to transport their produce to Abeokuta for milling and destoning before bringing it back to Ijebu East to sell. This additional cost makes their rice more expensive compared to rice from other regions, putting them at a competitive disadvantage.

Marginalization of Ijebu East

Hon Waliu Owode

Hon. Owode expressed concern over the continued marginalization of Ijebu East by the state government, despite the region’s potential to generate substantial revenue for Ogun State. He noted that the lack of government support has led to low output from rice farms, with production levels decreasing yearly.

“Ijebu East has the potential to be a major contributor to Ogun State’s agricultural sector, but the challenges faced by our farmers have been overlooked for too long. We need urgent intervention to address these issues and revive economic activities in the area,” Hon. Owode stated.

Call for Government Intervention

Hon. Owode called on the state government to take immediate action to address the challenges faced by rice farmers in Ijebu East. Key recommendations included:

  • Construction of irrigation systems to support farming during the dry season.
  • Dredging of the stream to prevent excessive flooding during the rainy season.
  • Rehabilitation of roads leading to farming communities to facilitate the transportation of produce.
  • Establishment of reliable off-taker systems to ensure farmers can sell their produce at fair prices.
  • Provision of rice milling and destoning equipment locally to reduce production costs and improve competitiveness.

Conclusion

The meeting between Hon. Waliu Owode and the RFAN Ijebu East Chapter underscores the urgent need for government intervention to support rice farmers in the region. By addressing the challenges of flooding, irrigation, off-takers, road infrastructure, and rice milling, the state government can unlock the agricultural potential of Ijebu East and boost economic activities in the area.

As Hon. Owode continues to advocate for the development of Ijebu East, stakeholders and residents remain hopeful that the state government will take decisive action to revive the agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers in the region.

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