The revival of the agricultural sector embarked upon by the current administration in Oyo State is set to witness a remarkable development as Brainfield Agro Limited is set to make the Pacesetter State a major rice-producing state. This disclosure was made by Abayomi Oladipo, the Chief Operating Officer of the firm.
Mr. Oladipo, while conducting the State commissioner for agriculture, Hon. Ojemuyiwa Ojekunle and others around the modern facilities of the firm noted that Brainfield is a rice processing plant with a mission to create a niche for Ofada rice production in Oyo State, Nigeria, and overseas, while it is also committed to work in the direction of the state government’s policy to create job opportunities through agriculture.
According to him, Brainfield, which is sited on two acres of land along Ido-Eruwa road has 12 hectares in Ido Local Government with over 100 farmers working to make Oyo State one of the major rice-producing states in the country, adding that negotiation is ongoing to secure another 300 hectares of land in Ido and 500 hectares in Osogbo with the focus on recruiting over 200 farmers not only to meet up with production capacity of the firm but also to engage more youths in the rice production business.
Speaking further, he said the firm which is exploring an innovative approach to improve rice value chain; quality assurance through modern technology has in its possession, a rice processing machine which is the largest in the whole South West with a production capacity of 9000 tonnes per annum.
In his response, the commissioner maintained that the state will give the necessary support that the firm needed to ensure the smooth operation of the firm. He also commended the initiative of the Chairman of Brainfield Agro Limited, Mr. Olukayode Ajala who deemed it fit to set up an agricultural industry in the state.
Brainfield Agro Limited is a subsidiary of Brainfield Consult Limited under the Chairmanship of Olukayode Ajala.
Also speaking at the event, Oyo State Director, National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Mr. Dambaba Nehemiah, said that one of the duties of the institute is to give necessary support to any Nigerian that wants to invest in the rice sector and that was why the institute decided to give technical support to Brainfield Agro Limited because it is the only indigenous rice processing plant that is focusing one hundred percent on Ofada rice production.
He further noted that Ofada rice production is a major area of rice production that the institute has expended much on, in terms of research from the laboratory to the commercial level, hence the decision of the Executive Director of the institute to give necessary support including quality analysis, technical advice, product examination, as well as market advice to ensure the success of the firm.