- The Mosilo Bayelsa rice out-growers scheme is the talk of the town in Bayelsa state
- The timing of the scheme is apt as Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy with focus on agriculture
- The scheme is expected to create jobs for over 20, 000 people
Nigeria's plans to diversify its economy with focus on agriculture has received a boost through the Mosilo Bayelsa rice out-growers scheme.
Founded by prominent politician and businessman, Moses Siloko Siasia, the scheme, is expected to create jobs for over 20, 000 people..
It is an initiative of Mosilo Group, a multi-billion naira business empire, with huge investments in engineering, real estate, oil and gas, agro processing and project management.
The scheme is the brainchild of politician and businessman, Moses Siasia. Photo credit: Mosilo Group
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Speaking at the flag off of the scheme in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state governor, Seriake Dickson stated that the initiative is in line with the agricultural policies of the state and pledged government's support to enable the scheme succeed.
Represented by the state commissioner for agriculture, Prince Doodei Week, the state governor lauded Moses Siasia for the project, saying he has made the state proud and called on other Bayelsans to emulate him.
Dickson expressed optimism that the project when fully operational will engage the people of the state positively and urged Bayelsa farmers and intended farmers to embrace the scheme while reassuring the investor of Bayelsa state commitment in providing an enabling environment for the scheme.
On his art, Siasia stated that the scheme was born out of his desire to harness the agricultural potentials of the state in the area of rice value chain, adding that the scheme will generate at least 3,417 direct and 20,000 indirect job opportunities, including ancillary jobs among others.
He noted that interested Bayelsans with at least two hectares of land can be part of the scheme as the company will support them with training, provide them with seedlings and will buy off the rice paddy from them after harvest.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has saved over N216 billion from the importation of rice alone from Thailand and other countries, since the nation’s domestic mass production flooded the markets under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).
Prince Niyi Akenzua, the executive director, risk management and finance, Bank of Agriculture (BOA) disclosed this on Thursday, October 26, in Ibadan when he visited Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state.
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Source: Naija.ng