Japan Boosts Rice Production In Ekiti State, Gives N55 Million Grants To Farmers

By Akinwale Kasali

The Japanese Embassy has given Rice Production in Ekiti State a big boost, following the release of a grant of $148, 209 (N55 million) to provide modern equipment for local farmers.

The grant by the Japanese embassy was facilitated by a Civil Society Organisation, called the New Initiative for Social Development, NISD, which is poised to assist rice farmers in Gbonyin Local Government Area with equipment like power tillers and combined harvesters.

The Ambassador of Japan in Nigeria, Kikuta Yutaka, in an agreement with NISD, spearheaded by the Group’s Programmes Manager, Martins Ogunlade, with the Ekiti State Government ably represented at the signing ceremony by Commissioner for Agriculture, Folorunso Olabode; Special Adviser to the Governor on Development Partnerships, Margaret Fagboyo and Special Assistant to Governor Kayode Fayemi on Civil Society Matters, Biodun Oyeleye.

The scheme, which was floated under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects in aimed at assisting farmers and boosting Rice production in the State and Nigeria at large.

While speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Yutaka expressed confidence that the Public Private Partnership Assistance programme, stressing that it would boost rice production in Ekiti State.

He added that the Japanese Embassy in Nigeria would monitor the project and ensure that the deal was implemented to the letter.

The envoy said the project which was initiated by NISD would be implemented in collaboration with Toyota Tsusho Corporation, which is however expected to provide agricultural equipment from Yanmar Company Limited and Mahindra Agricultural Machinery Company Limited.

Ogunlade promised that the grant would be properly and exclusively used for the purchase of products and services necessary for the execution of the project as stated in the agreement.

While noting that the contract would be completed one year after the contract date, Ogunlade described the project as “a boost to food security not only in Ekiti but in Nigeria.”

Oyeleye commended the Japanese Embassy for giving the civil society an opportunity to contribute towards achieving the five-pillar agenda of the Fayemi administration.

He added that Ekiti State Government was poised to enter into such partnerships with more development partners in other to boost the economy of the State and the Nation.