Ondo State Signs MOA Production With La-Ruta Malaysia

The Ondo State Governor, Akeredolu Oluwarotimi (SAN) has given his assurance that his administration will continue to create a more enabling environment for industries and investors to thrive without hiccups.

This was contained in a press release obtained by Campus Reporter, which was released by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Richard Olatunde.

While describing the exchange of the Memorandum Of Agreement as the beginning of a sustainable partnership and collaboration, Akeredolu said that the state has provided an enabling environment with continuous government support.

Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet, who lauded the efforts of the governor, expressed her confidence that Ondo State will soon begin to export rice.

Akeredolu, however, while identifying rice as the staple food for most Nigerians, emphasised that rice consumption is increasing daily in the country.

He noted “I recall when we were just a country of about 40 million people, rice was only eaten during special occasions and ceremonies. But with time, rice has become a major food in the country. You can imagine with over 200 million population what the potential of rice value-chain has become in Nigeria and will continue to be.”

“No doubt, there has been a significant rise in rice production in Nigeria and it got to the highest level so far in the year 2020 with about 5.06 tons per annum,” he added.

Furthermore, the governor has maintained that farmers in the state are already producing paddy rice, assuring that La-RUTA will continue to have a reasonable supply of paddy rice from the local rice farmers across the state for processing, while they embark on their own cultivation for enhanced capacity utilisation to be achieved.

Meanwhile, the governor informed them that they are not only looking at the Ogbese/Uso axis but also, there is a large expanse of land suitable for rice cultivation in the Irele local government, southern senatorial district of the state.

Finally, Akeredolu assured them that the place will be made available for their use too and for expansion. You can cultivate directly and have out growers too. Let me assure you that our people are friendly and reliable and we will continue to support you,” he said.