By Adedapo Adesanya
Olam Nigeria has disclosed that it is set to embark on a massive agrarian drive that will minimize the harsh effects of COVID-19 on food security in the country.
The company in a statement reiterated its commitment to ensuring food security as well as reduce the country’s dependence on food import.
The company said it was embarking on this project in response to the call by the federal government to scale up food production this farming season as a measure to ensure food security.
“In furtherance of this resolve by the President, Olam Nigeria is pledging to continue its support in the fight to ensure food security and helping the country reduce its food imports by ramping up rice production through it’s over 5,000 hectare, fully mechanized large-scale rice farm that produces 2 crops a year for the Nigerian market.
“The company which operates two different integrated rice mills in Rukubi Doma, Nasarawa State and Amarava Agro in Kano State with production capacities of 120,000 tonnes respectively is committed to produce only local and home grown quality rice with the variants of Mama’s Pride and Mama’s Choice,” the firm said.
The statement further disclosed that Olam was currently working with more than 20,000 direct Outgrower famers and sensitizing more farmers to plant Rice and handholding them with training and inputs in 5 states of Nigeria.
The company added that it is also the biggest buyer of paddy rice from Nigerian farmers, impacting livelihoods of more than 100,000 farmers directly and indirectly.
As part of the efforts to support Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19, it reiterated that it gave out rice palliatives to women in its host communities as well as medical kits to the Rukubi Clinic in Doma, Nasarawa State.
“Apart from undertaking various other community support programs, enlightenment and educational campaigns in form of radio and TV jingles in local languages to stress the need for social distancing, wearing of masks as well as washing and rinsing of hands whilst ensuring they are all in line with COVID-19 protocols as espoused by WHO and NCDC,” the company noted in the statement.
Modupe Gbadeyanka