The Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ronke Sokefun has disclosed that the newly-cleared 100 hectares Ofada rice farm located at Shagbon village, Eggua in Yewa North LGA of the state, will employ about 1,200 farmers through the provision of direct and indirect jobs.

Sokefun, who made the statement during an inspection visit to the project farmland, said the agriculture-basic project would employ 200 main farmers and at least 1000 farm assistants, adding that apart from provision of employment, government would provide farming inputs such as rice seeds and fertilizer needed, and also buy back from the produce after harvest.

She noted that the 100 hectares of land for the project was a veritable attempt by government to curb challenges facing farmers over land clearing, as the ministry had already begun the clearing and ploughing of the land.

He stated that the efforts would particularly enable farmers to plant more, thereby enhancing Ofada rice production, but that the land would meanwhile be used for planting late maize and short-term Nerica to ensure optimal use.

Farmers however have lauded Ogun government for making use of the land that had been acquired and lying fallow over three decades but solicited the provision of portable water, accessible roads and medical staff for the location of clinic where farmers resident in the village will seek medical advice and attention.