Rice Farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural product in Osun State have been advised to participate in the pilot Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) of the Federal Government.
The appeal became necessary to boost the supply of rice production for School Feeding and Health Programme (O-MEALS) in the State.
Director and State Operation Officer for Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme,(O-meals), Mrs. Olubunmi Ayoola, made the remarks during a stakeholders meeting organised by O-Meals Office in collaboration with Partnership for Child Developments (PCD) London.
Ayoola maintained that, O-meals office is highly interested in encouraging local farmers in Osun in the production of rice which is part of O-meals menu, noting that, this will have a multiplier effect on the economy of the state as well provide empowerment.
Earlier at the meeting, the representative of the Partnership for Child Development (PCD) in Nigeria, Mrs Abimbola Adesanmi, and that of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Kelechi, disclosed that Osun silos have the storage capacity of 50,000 metric tone of quality rice. The duo held that Osogbo, Ejigbo and Atakumosa local governments are the three local governments selected as pilot of the programme in Osun immediately it is approved by Federal Government.
They therefore seek for the cooperation and commitment of all the stakeholders, particularly the rice farmers for the programme to achieve its desired success.
Also present at the meeting were the representative of State of Osun Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment as well as O-meals food vendors.
DAILY INDEPENDENT
