Osikapa Abia: We’re Ready To Produce, Sell Rice To Abia People Even At A loss

Posted by Christian Nwokocha | 4 years ago | 1,893 times



Hon. Pastor Okey Dike, the Special Adviser to Abia State Governor, in this interview with CHRISTIAN NWOKOCHA in UMUAHIA, enumerated the efforts of the state government to encourage local rice farmers in the state. Excerpts:

What season of rice are we in Nigeria?

Well right now, we are approaching the harvesting season, but we are not at the peak of it. We have already completed the planting season.

How many seasons can an average farmer farm in a year?

Well it depends on the climate. If the climate is favourable particularly those who live along the river banks, an average farmer can farm twice a year. If there is an opportunity of irrigation, one can farm up to four times yearly.

Are you working to activate or build new irrigation at least to enable you increase your rice production capacity?

Yes. The governor is already rehabilitating the dams we have in Abia State with a view to facilitate irrigation.

We a dam at Uzitem, we have another dam in Bende Local Government Area. We have advised the governor on the need to get them working and he is really doing that.

Some of these dams were built more than 30 years ago and need to be activated with new and modern facilities. The governor is providing the funds and soon, the dams will all be in place.

In 2020, we will plant and harvest for four seasons. Therefore, in Abia State, we will have four rice seasons.

Can you describe the attitude of rice farmers you met on ground?

Sincerely, we met farmers that have no confidence in government prior to this time because they told us that previous government officials have made promises that were not fulfilled. But we told them that we have come to restore confidence in government.

We tried to convince them that our approach will be different and to better the life of farmers in the state. We actually have in mind to create mass employment through rice production.

Gradually , I must say that the farmers are really seeing reasons to believe the government. The governor acting on our advice provided farm implements to over 5000 Abia rice farmers free of charge. He also provided improved rice seedlings to Abia farmers free of charge.

What is it that can make anybody believe that the attitudes of rice farmers have changed?

Today our local farmers are smiling to the banks.

Their yields have increased, and early harvesting due to improved seedlings, their harvest is huge, we provide the market for their product, we buy them the quantity notwithstanding and mill. They no longer move about with their produce looking for somebody to buy.

We have not only provided the market, they come to our cottage mills to process their produce, we also provide non interest loans to these farmers. What they need as at today is work hard and bring their produce. They promised to return the money in exchange with their produce.

Governance is about partnership and cohesion. The governor went to Cross Rivers State and discovered that the state built a plant that this improved rice seedlings, and he asked to buy into the project.

We went Cross Rivers to under study the improved seedlings project and reported back to the governor.

In the report we told him that the state has an improved seedling that can be useful to the farmers in Abia State. The governor provided the money, we purchased same and give to rice farmers free of charge.

The first thing we did was to get the data as it affects the real rice farmers. Not the political farmers.

It was indeed a sincere project. We went rice swamps, fields and met the farmers on ground. We didn’t invite them to come to our offices, we went out looking for them just like you met me at the milling centre working and you can see how organised the milling centre is. We have milling machines, de-stoners and you can see that staff busy working in one department or the other.

We have three milling centres across the state. We also have local rice mills and we assist them to be in business and process the rice they are milling.

How many bags of rice can you produce from this Uzoakoli rice milling centre daily?

We enough quantity supplied by farmers, we can produce 500 bags per day.

The farmers are not really set to rush to the milling centre because we are not at the peak of harvesting rice from the farm.

We have today a trailer load of produce from farmers, it will be processed. But the farmers are coming gradually. But from the look of things, and towards the end of this November 2019, the milling will be too busy and we cannot produce anything less than 500 bags.

How nutritious and stone free is this Abia rice under your watch?

First, this is non chemicalised rice unlike the imported rice stored over a period of time before it gets to us here in Nigeria. Some the imported rice we eat have preserved in the warehouse many years before we receive them here. But the one you see us processing and distributing with our vehicle were harvested few days ago, per boiled, de-stoned and ready for consumption without adding any chemical to it. They are very nutritious and fresh.

How did you source the milling machines?

Some of the machines come from China but the installation is done locally and some the steel used comes from Nigeria. Without these steels, the milling centre will not. So, it a mixture of local and imported manufactured milling machines.

How is the rice market competition affecting Abia Rice?

We are already in the market with enabling environment provided by the governor. With the governor’s interest in rice production, by this time next year, Osikaba Abia will flood the market.

As we speak now we have a sales outlet in Abia line and other sale centres across the state.

As we mill, we take it nearer to the people. Abia line is a transport company and the essence of an outlet there is to ensure that anybody travelling beyond Abia State can buy our rice.

Have you considered profit in this milling business since you buy improved seedlings and share to farmers, you also buy unfinished produce from farmers, you mill and distribute same to the public?

Sincerely we are not really making profit for now. What is going on now is investment that will be useful to the government of Abia State and rice farmers across the state.

Our interest is to ensure that our people are happy and market Abia Rice even at a loss.

The governor made a firm promise that he will subsidise the cost of the finished product. So, if that happens, the price will certainly come low and the aid is to encourage our local farmer and to ensure that our people in their own products.

We were already in the market before the border closure. Selling the at very low price. But the only thing the border closure has done for us is that it has encouraged people to believe in their own products. You have seen our distribution vehicles loaded with bags of rice. So the demand for Abia rice is very high. Even if

the border opens today, the impression that we can achieve a delicious rice has already registered in the minds of Nigerians. Nigerian rice farmers have the capacity to produce rice for Nigerians. The farmers are being giving the opportunity to showcase their capacity.

Nigeria is the biggest market in Africa. Whatever we can produce here, believe me that the market is here. Even if the border opens today, there are people who can longer go back to foreign rice.

How much have you spent so far on this project of producing rice for the people and your budget for 2020?

I may not give you a summary of money spent so far, just like I said, the interest is not to make profit, but to ensure our people are okey economically and otherwise irrespective the cost.

In 2020, we have a lot of farms to develop and send our youths there; we also expect that those already in rice production will enlarge their scope. If I say we have a budget of N1.5bn, it is not out of place


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