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Tag: “Lake Rice”

  • LAKE Rice available for Xmas, says govt

    LAKE Rice is available in approved designated sales centres, outlets and shops, Agriculture Commissioner Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau has said.

    He urged residents, at the weekend, to visit any of the approved outlets to buy the product, as there is enough to go round, especially during the Yuletide.

    The product is at Agricultural Development Authority (ADA) Oko Oba, Agege, Lagos Television (LTV) Complex, Agidingbi-Ikeja and other designated centres.

    “The ultimate goal of the government on production and marketing of LAKE Rice is to stop importation of rice and ensure that only locally produced rice is consumed by residents,” Suarau said.

    The government, he said, was determined to ensure availablity of the product, to ensure food sufficiency.

    “The government will ensure continuous availability of the product at these centres and designated major markets, shopping malls and supermarkets that are in partnership with it,” he said.

    “Our LAKE Rice is of good quality. The major difference between LAKE Rice and imported rice is that the imported one has a minimum of five to six years storage life span, but LAKE Rice is fresh and wholesome,” he said.

  • Scarcity of LAKE Rice hits Lagos markets

    Scarcity of the Lagos-Kebbi States collaboration brand of local rice, popularly known as ‘LAKE Rice’, has hit the Lagos markets, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    NAN correspondents’ visits to some of the major markets and distribution outlets within the state showed that there were no LAKE Rice on display or in stock for sale to consumers.

    Some retail traders at major markets and distributors of the product told NAN that they had yet to restock after exhausting the stocks they had since September and October.

    One of the distributors, Mrs Augustina Nwanze, said she was still expecting new stocks which she had ordered for since October.

    “I paid for new stocks of the product but unfortunately they had yet to be delivered.

    “Once l receive a phone call from Alausa to come and pick the products, l will go and pick them.

    “The delivery is usually on first come first serve, so l am waiting for my turn,” Nwanze said.

    Another distributor, Mrs Bimbo Ogun, said she ran out of stocks since early November.

    “Since then, l have been waiting for new supplies from the state secretariat.

    “The product (LAKE Rice) is not readily available like the foreign rice.

    “The state government is still fine-tuning ways to flood the market with the product.

    “I have been telling my customers to be patience as the product will soon be available, especially since it is festive season, “ she said.

    Ogun explained that she sold the rice along with the other goods, saying that now that the product was not available, other goods had been sustaining her.

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    A senior member of staff in the state Ministry of Agriculture who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the product was not available now for sale to the public.

    “There has been some logistics challenge which accounted for the delay and scarcity of the rice.

    “However, the ministry is working hard to make sure that the product is available especially during the festive season.

    “For now, we are appealing to the distributors and customers to bear with us.

    ‘’A 50kg bag of LAKE Rice sells for N12, 000; 25 kg at N6,000; and 10kg goes for N3,000,’’ he said.

  • Lagos spends N1.04billion on Lake Rice

    •711,736 families into farming, says commissioner

    About 711,736 families have taken to farming in Lagos State, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau said yesterday.

    The government, he said, had subsidised LAKE Rice with N1.049billion from December 2016 to date, as part of efforts to ensure food security in the state.

    Suarau spoke at the ongoing briefing by ministries in Alausa, Ikeja, to mark Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s third anniversary in office

    The LAKE Rice, he said, was being sold at a highly subsidised rate of N12,000 per 50kg bags, adding that it has brought down the skyrocketing price of rice.

    “The state government has subsidised LAKE Rice under this review period with N1,049,140,395. This is targeted towards ensuring food sustainability and food security in the state and as an end result, making Lake Rice a national brand,” he said.

    The government, he said, would establish a 32 tonnes per hour rice mill with AG (“Bühler”), a leading rice-mill producer in the world.

    “It is estimated that the partnership would facilitate the creation of  274,000 jobs across the agriculture value chain, and will also bring about the cultivation of 32,000 hectares of farm land to produce rice paddy, equating to an estimated 130million Kg of processed rice per year which is an equivalent of 2.6milion 50kg bags of rice,” he said.

    The commissioner said the establishment of the state-of-the-art rice mill would serve as a platform for Lagos to partner with other Southwest states aside its existing collaboration with Kebbi.

    According to him, “The state carried out Village Listing Survey in the three Agricultural Zones, namely West (Badagry); East (Ikorodu) and far East (Epe). The survey revealed that the estimated number of families taking farming as primary occupation is 558,420 while those taking it as secondary occupation are 153,316 in the state.”

  • Lake rice, others: ‘Policy continuity ‘ll help Nigeria attain food security’

    Lake rice, others: ‘Policy continuity ‘ll help Nigeria attain food security’

    An agricultural economist, Prof. John Aihonsu, has advised state and Federal governments to sustain the current agricultural policies and programmes targeted at boosting food supply and self-sufficiency in food productions across the country.

    Aihonsu said Nigeria would have long overcome its food shortage dilemma without resorting to huge importation, if previous agricultural policies designed and started by past governments were not jettisoned by succeeding administrations.

    The expert spoke at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) at Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State while delivering the institution’s 78th inaugural lecture.

    The expert said there should be continuity of the current efforts at state and national levels to increase food production and supply.

    He noted that the country would not achieve food security or sufficiency if the condition of the farmers was not “prosperous.”

    He suggested that the fortune of farmers can be made prosperous through assisting them financially to experience a “sustained improvement in productivity and income availability.”

    Delivering his lecture, titled: Addressing Nigeria’s Food Shortage Dilemma: The Cooperative Agenda, Aihonsu advised every succeeding administration to sustain and not abandon the policies of previous governments, which were targeted at helping Nigerian farmers to increase their productivity and tackle the nation’s “food shortage dilemma”.

    The professor identified over 15 previous agricultural programmes, including the Operation Feed the Nation and Farm Settlement Scheme, which could have placed Nigeria on the path of self-sustenance in food production and consumption, if they were not abandoned by succeeding administrations.

  • Lagos sets up monitoring team for distribution of Lake Rice

    Lagos sets up monitoring team for distribution of Lake Rice

    The Lagos State Government on Friday constituted a monitoring team to ensure a hitch-free distribution of LAKE Rice to the citizens.

    A statement issued by Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, said the committee comprised some members of the state Executive Council and top officials of the Ministry of Agriculture

    In the statement, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya, said arrangements had been put in place to ensure hitch-free distribution of LAKE Rice during the yuletide.

    He said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode set up the monitoring team, following a partnership agreement signed recently with major rice distributors in the state.

    Onasanya said: “You will recall that the state government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with major rice distributors from Daleko, Mile 12 and Iddo markets on transporting, distributing and marketing of LAKE Rice.

    “The monitoring team, which consists of top government officials, will conduct regular monitoring visits to distribution outlets and centres to ascertain the capacity and effectiveness of the rice distributors.’’

    Onasanya also said the team would ensure that the distributors, who were engaged for transporting and marketing of Lake Rice, engaged in equitable distribution of the product, while eschewing hoarding and other sharp practices.

    NAN

  • Lake rice: Lagos signs pact with distributors

    Lake rice: Lagos signs pact with distributors

    To ensure even and fair distribution of LAKE Rice Lagos State Government has sought the participation of major rice distributors  and signed agreement with the distributors in the transportation, distribution and marketing of LAKE rice.

    Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Food Security Mr. Ganiyu Okanlawon who signed on behalf of the Lagos State Government said the agreement would ensure that residents get LAKE rice not just from designated centres but also from the open market at the official government price.

    Okanlawon explained that the agreement which is valid for one year in the first instance and may be extended by mutual agreement in writing for additional period involves major distributors in various rice markets in the State which have the capacity to receive and distribute large tonnes of LAKE Rice during after the yuletide season.

    “The distributors shall transport and market LAKE Rice, engage in equitable distribution of the product by avoiding hoarding and other sharp practices and ensure all year round continuous and equitable distribution of LAKE rice”, he said.

    Noting that the need to ensure availability of the product to citizens is key in the State’s drive to attain food sufficiency, the Special Adviser stated that food production and self-sufficiency have been given priority attention at State’s policy and strategic level

    Okanlawon, who implored the distributors not to default in the agreement assured the distributors of Lagos State Government commitment to keep its end of the bargain.

    Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Olayiwole Onansanya explained the agreement sets out the terms upon which the parties will co-operate with each other for execution of the scheme.

    He added that the state government will verify claims of address and warehouse or shops of the distributors, approve all business plans before implementation and conduct regular monitoring visits with respect to capacity and effectiveness of the distributor.

     

     

    Responding on behalf of the distributors, the Iyaloja of Dalako Rice Market, Mrs. Ibilola Sholaja thank the State government for the opportunity given to distributors to be part of history in the sales of LAKE rice.

    She assured the State government that distributors will abide by the terms of the agreement.

  • Lake rice: Lagos partners major rice distributor, signs agreement

    Lake rice: Lagos partners major rice distributor, signs agreement

    In its bid to ensure even and fair distribution of LAKE Rice product to the nooks and crannies of Lagos, the State Government has sought the participation of major rice distributors in Lagos and signed a partnership agreement with the distributors in the transportation, distribution and marketing of LAKE rice.

    The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Food Security, Mr. Ganiyu Okanlawon who signed the partnership agreement on behalf of the Lagos State Government stated the agreement will ensure that residents get LAKE rice not just from designated sales centres but also from the open market at the official government price.

    Okanlawon explained that the agreement which is valid for one year in the first instance and may be extended by mutual agreement in writing for additional period involves major distributors in various rice markets in the State which have the capacity to receive and distribute large tonnes of LAKE Rice during after the yuletide season.

    “The distributors shall transport and market LAKE Rice, engage in equitable distribution of the product by avoiding hoarding and other sharp practices and ensure all year round continuous and equitable distribution of LAKE rice”, he said.

    While noting that the need to ensure availability of the product to citizens is key in the State’s drive to attain food sufficiency, the Special Adviser stated that food production and self-sufficiency have been given priority attention at State’s policy and strategic level    Okanlawon who implored the distributors not to default in the agreement assured the distributors of Lagos State Government commitment to keep its end of the bargain.

    Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Olayiwole Onansanya explained the agreement sets out the terms upon which the parties will co-operate with each other for execution of the scheme.

    He added the State government will verify claims of address and warehouse or shops of the distributors, approve all business plans before implementation and conduct regular monitoring visits with respect to capacity and effectiveness of the distributor.

    Responding on behalf of the distributors, the Iyaloja of Dalako Rice Market, Mrs. Ibilola Sholaja thank the State government for the opportunity given to distributors to be part of history in the sales of LAKE rice.

    She assured the State government that distributors will abide by the terms of the agreement.

  • Lagos approves sale of Lake Rice

    Lagos approves sale of Lake Rice

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the sale of LAKE Rice for the yuletide.

    Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau yesterday said the Ambode’s administration would continue to ensure adequate production and fair distribution of the rice across the state.

    The product will be available at accredited centres  during the festive period and beyond.

    Suarau said: “Residents can buy the product from the Lagos Television (LTV) Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja; Farm Service Centre Odogunyan-Ikorodu; Farmers Mart Surulere; Agric Input Supply Authority (LAISA) Ojo; Agricultural Development Authority (ADA) Oko Oba, Agege; Farmers Mart, Ajah and Farm Service Centre, Temu-Epe.”

    The commissioner said the rice must circulate  in line with the government’s drive to attain food sufficiency, adding that food production and self-sufficiency have been given priority at state’s policy and strategic levels.

    Noting that the price has not changed, he said the government would continue to maintain the price to make the product affordable to all.

    He promised fair sale of the product on the basis of first-come, first-serve, stressing that logistics have been put in place to ensure that residents get the products at the nearest designated centre without any hassle.

  • More rice coming from Kebbi

    More rice coming from Kebbi

    Last year, there was some rice relief, thanks to Kebbi State growers. Now, there is hope that things will get better. More rice will be produced, according to the state’s smallholder farmers who are championing the production of the staple.

    Last year, through a partnership between Kebbi and Lagos State government, prices of the grain crashed  from N25,000 to N12,000, fulfilling the desires of many Nigerians to have rice in their homes. The Lake Rice was well received.

    The EU, in collaboration with Oxfam, is implementing a Pro Resilience Action (PROACT) Project to further increase the production capacity of farmers in the state.

    Because of the PROACT project, more farmers have embraced rice farming using modern techniques and improved inputs acquired under the project.

    Already, farmers in the state have received farm inputs under the project to drive dry season farming. No fewer than 6,000 bags of fertilisers have been distributed to 1,500 farmers in the state.

    A member of the village savings and loan scheme (VSLA) in Goriyo-Damana community, Birnin Kebbi, Abubakar Hakimi, told our reporter he had already received 30 bags of fertilisers from Oxfam for dry season farming.

    He said he could barely afford two bags of fertilisers before Oxfam began distributing the item to smallholder farmers in the state.

    Hakimi said he expects to harvest 50 bags of rice as against the 35 he harvested last year.

    “We never knew how to plant rice very well and apply fertiliser to give us high yield,” he said through an interpreter with a broad smile on his face,” he said.

    “The current year is more promising for rice farmers in the village’ –they have not witnessed farming with such huge produce and with less efforts too.

    “But their efforts have paid off because-they are learning new and modern farming techniques to cultivate rice and also have access to farm inputs, hitherto not available to them.

     

  • Ambode orders continuous sale of LAKE Rice

    Ambode orders continuous sale of LAKE Rice

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has directed the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture to begin the non-stop sales of Lake Rice in all the designated centres across the state.

    The governor, who also approved the creation of more  centres, said prices remained the same and would be maintained to make it affordable to Lagosians.

    Commissioner for Agriculture Oluwatyin Suarau, who stated this at the weekend, noted that the directive is part of the strategy to increase access to Lake Rice and ensure its effective distribution.

    Suarau explained that the newly created sales centres as well as the existing designated centres in the 57 local Government and Local Council Development Areas will be used for the non-stop sales of Lake Rice.

    The centres are: Farm Service Centre, Odogunyan-Ikorodu; Farmers Mart, Surulere; Agric Input Supply Authority (LAISA) Ojo; Agricultural Development Authority (ADA) Oko Oba, Agege and Lagos Television (LTV) Complex, Agidingbi-Ikeja.

    Suarau noted that work is in progress to ensure adequate supply of the product across the state.

    “The need to ensure that Lake Rice circulates in the nooks and crannies of the state is key in our drive to attain food sufficiency. Food production and self-sufficiency have been given priority attention as state policy at strategic levels; this is aimed at sustaining Lagos because our state is the largest consumer of food commodity in Nigeria”.

    The Commissioner explained that the Lagos-Kebbi partnership would ensure food security and show case the ability of Nigeria to become a rice producing nation.

    “Logistics have been put in place to ensure a hassle-free purchase of the product in an atmosphere devoid of rancour in all our approved sales centres thus making the processes of purchase a lot more easier for everyone”, Suarau added.