By AgroNigeria
The chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos State chapter, Otunba Femi Oke has disclosed that the association has obtained 200 hectares of farmland in the Epe area of Lagos State for the cultivation of rice.
Oke, who made the disclosure while addressing journalists on Thursday, said the land was obtained under a five-year lease agreement.
According to the chairman, the move is part of the association’s effort towards contributing to the nation’s rice production capacity.
Oke praised the federal government for its border closure policy, adding that it opened up opportunities for local farmers.
He said, “We have encouraged our members to cultivate rice no matter how small it is to contribute and increase the number of metric tonnes produced in the country.
“No area of agriculture should be left out, for instance, AFAN members are into aquaculture, poultry, vegetable, piggery, cattle rearing, rice and many other areas of farming.”
Oke, however, called on the Lagos state government to provide machinery like bulldozers and tractors as well as improve road infrastructure in order to ease the plight of farmers in the state.
“We need the government’s support to clear the land, create a road and make it accessible for farming. If the government concentrates more on extension services, there will be more food security in 2020,” he added.