Amada-Ogbo Cooperative pledges to produce 40 million bags of rice .Kick off planting season in Bayelsa

 By Wisdom Aumade

As part of its efforts to curb hunger, poverty and the prevailing high cost of food items in the country and create jobs for the teeming population, a renowned cooperative under the aegis of Amada-Ogbo Farmers Cooperative Society (AOFCS) in Bayelsa state has laid solid foundation to produce 40 million bags of milled rice annually.

Rev Clever A Amada

 

This was made known by the President and Founders of the cooperative, Rev Clever A Amada during the official flag off ceremony for this year’s rice planting season at Oloibiri town in Ogbia local government area of the state.

The Cooperative President also disclosed that the Amada-Ogbo rice farm project would engage seven thousand one hundred and eleven (7,111) workers from the unemployed sector across the state within ten years.

“The farms productive index on 10,000 hectares at three times rice farming seasons, free from flooding and would realize 40 million bags of milled rice per annum,” he said.

He expressed the determination of the organizations readiness and ability to develop and implement agricultural practices for food security.

The organization boss noted with pleasure, stressing that while other areas in the state are facing flood threat and cannot afford to plant, the organization can clear and plant in three seasons in Oloibiri.

He added that the Oloibiri ancient town has a peculiar progressive attitude in any agenda that touches the land of Oloibiri.

According to him, even the first civilian Governor of Old Rivers state, Chief Melford Obiene Okilo was trained and brought up by late king J.C. Egba of Oloibiri while former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan got his First School Leaving Certificate there, and became the first President of Nigeria from the South-South geopolitical zone.

He expressed enthusiasm that crude oil also,was first discovered in large commercial quantities in Nigeria and West African in 1956 at Oloibiri, adding that now, the first demonstration rice farm that is mechanized in Bayelsa state place was established there.

  Amada Ogbo Farmers Co-operative Society is a nongovernmental organization established in the year 12^th Jannuary, 2012 with registration number BYS 13 093^D with Head Quarters located at Destiny Place ,No. 765 Chief Melford Okilo Expressway,Opposite former NEPA office, Opolo, Yenagoa Bayelsa state.

The group is made up of specialized farmers that come together to showcase her farms and project Bayelsa state in the Nigerian map and the world at large as one of the active, best and most suitable agricultural state in Nigeria.

The president called for partners and sponsors in the areas of bush clearing/carting of debris, supply of farm tractors, build silos, ware houses, supply of rice paddies mounting of giant rice mills of 100,000kg per bag, supply birds repellents, fertilizers and drill water project among others.

 Rev Amada appealed to Bayelsans to invest in the state and partner with indigenous farmers to boost productivity.

He noted that Amada-Ogbo farmers are also member of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) as well as Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).

Amada-Ogbo is accredited beneficiary in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),Anchor Borrowers Programme of the wet season rice farmers and he appeal for all input to be released as to make progress as scheduled .

The president used the medium to notify the audience that CBN informed him that Elephant Rice Organization is bringing a rice mill to Ogbia LGA, and it is for the Amada-Ogbo Rice Farmers to be sited at Oloibiri ancient town.

In his response Rt. Hon Emmanuel Tonye Isenah Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly stated that if chief Melford Okilo and Goodluck Jonathan school in Oloibiri to become governor and president, and he been in Oloibiri to flag off the rice farm, means he is going to be the richest farmer in Nigeria. 

Rt. Hon Emmanuel Tonye Isenah

 

He said the main stay in every economy is agriculture and Bayelsa state government has taken agriculture as a priority.

He assured that government will give soft loans to farmers and Amada-Ogbo will be a beneficiary as Amada-Ogbo is one of the organizations recognized by government.

He pledged government support to Amada Ogbo and that Assembly will back the organization to the best to feed Bayelsa state, Nigeria and indeed the whole world.

He thanked Amada Ogbo and Oloibiri town for taken the bold step to feed the nation.

Speaking, the Director of Agriculture in the Ministry of Agriculture who represent the Commissioner, expressed happiness as the ministry has recognized Amada Ogbo as one of the best organization in rice farming.

He quoted that in the past farmers were going into subsistence agriculture but now that government has decided to go to commercial agriculture and our soil is the best in West Africa, we are going to become first in Nigeria again.

He noted that government have taken the challenge to clear in input and Amada Ogbo as a beneficiary should get ready to get their input as government will buy all the products .

He made know that rice mill is built in Otuoke, one at Amassoma and the other at Isampou and promise to locate one at Oloibiri.

In another development Chief Abuchi, Founder and President-Global Hunger Emancipation center and Financier to Amada Ogbo said, those who are not serious should be serious.

He said every machinery has been put in place to produce 500,000 metric tons of rice in every farming season and that all hands should be on deck to make the vision a reality.

 In a joyous mood the CDC Chairman of Oloibiri town, Mr Abiori Menidin thanked the dignitaries and Amada Ogbo in particular and demanded from the ministry of agriculture to assist the co-operative society, and to build institution in agricultural matters. He added that land for the project is always available.

Also,in his remarks and vote of thanks the group thanked the Honourable chairman, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Chairman of Ogbia local government council ,Hon, Turner Ebiyo Marvin and every other dignitary present especially the Oloibiri Community for donating the land for the project.