The team and I headed down to the Rice Farms to see how our farmers were getting along with their harvest. We visited the farm in Itoikin, where mechanized farming is practiced. Below are pictures from the field trip. Click on the pictures to enlarge…
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
12 Comments
Tosin
September 9, 2013can we do an Ota trip sometime? I work in Ota and I (and many of my students ) haven’t seen the Obasanjo farms…
Kofo Durosinmi-Etti
September 10, 2013Absolutely. But to do that I think you would have to liase with the farm manager, to find out what their visiting policy. Do you have any contacts there?
BADRU
September 9, 2013Nice one!
Kofo Durosinmi-Etti
September 10, 2013Thanks!
Safe
September 10, 2013Is ofada rice more nutritious than the regular imported polished rice? It will be nice to know, please.
Kofo Durosinmi-Etti
September 10, 2013Ofada rice, has been linked to protection against atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, and premature death. In addition to the matrix of nutrients in their dietary fibers, the whole-grain arsenal includes a wide variety of additional nutrients and phytochemicals that reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Compounds in whole grains that have cholesterol-lowering effects include polyunsaturated fatty acids, oligosaccharides, plant sterols and stanols, and saponins. Ofada rice also important dietary sources of water-soluble, fat-soluble, and insoluble antioxidants.The long list of cereal antioxidants includes vitamin E, tocotrieonols, selenium, phenolic acids, and phytic acid. These multifunctional antioxidants come in immediate-release to slow-release forms and thus are available throughout the gastrointestinal tract over a long period after being consumed.Based on this I would say that it is. Thanks 🙂
M. Bah
September 14, 2013Hello Kofo: My siblings and I are in the early planning stage of starting a farm on a 18 acre in Sierra a Leone, which we just closed a purchase on. All of us live overseas (most in the U.S.); but we reach a conclusion that the time is right to start a sustainable venture in Africa–Sierra Leone in particular, as I believe it’s the next economic frontier.From reading your blog and subsequent comments, I am curious to know whether Ofada rice is a type of rice seed (grain) or whether it’s a farm’s name or brand. As the staple food in Sierra Leone and virtually every other African country, rice is one of the food we will be interested in producing, and sell at a reasonable price to the public. I would appreciate your clarification about the Ofada rice, please.Thanks in advance.
Kofo Durosinmi-Etti
September 17, 2013Hi there! Congrats on your purchase, that is pretty exciting stuff. I totally agree with you that Africa is the next economic frontier, in spite of all the challenges we currently face we are seeing positive changes in the political and economic space. I also believe that agriculture will play a fundamental role in ensuring that Africa realises it’s potential.Ofada is used to describe our locally grown rice. Ofada is a generic name used to describe all rice produced and processed in the rice producing clusters of south-west Nigeria. The short grain robust rice, believed to be OS6 and ITA 150 varieties, is named after Ofada, a small rural community in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Because of the cost of production and getting the rice to the market, the ofada rice tends to be more expensive than imported rice.I did a little bit of research on rice production in Sierria Leone and it appears that strong opportunities exist. However strong business management skills will be required to achieve the required level of success and to sell at a competitive price. This is a link to one of the more interesting article I found, although it is a bit dated (2009) http://www.eds-sl.com/docs/EDS%20-%20Economics%20of%20Rice%20Prodn%20in%20Sierra%20Leone%20-%20June%202009.pdf and here is another http://www.leoneresources.com/rice.html.Please keep me posted and let me know how it goes or if you would like my help on anything. Congrats again. To your success :-). Stay connected
M. Bah
September 20, 2013Hello again, Kofo!Thank you for your informative response, also for the research.I grew up in the U.S, and I see how the quality of our food choice has significantly deteriorate over the decades – from the overly processed, over-produced food, to the ascent of Monsanto’s monopoly on crops with their genetically modified crops. This decline is evident in high rate of obesity, diabetes, etc.With this awareness, I am interested in organic grains, to produce healthier food choice. This is even more relevant for our people, since their less access to healthcare. I will certainly look into the Ofada grain, to learn more about Tiane how to procure it.I will also study the info you sent and conduct additional research as we plan along. I also believe that as we “African expatriates” explore business opportunities in our home countries, we have to do it the “right way” and for the right reasons other than money. We have to encorporate the community and work together for the longterm best interest of the whole. This will allow us to increasingly become producer nations and less dependent on import. This Is one of the key factors which has delayed Africa’s development. WeMy vision is not just economic but community development – creating living wage jobs, retirement savings accts, profit share, and just form a partnership with the locals. I even plan to join the Fair Trad, to ensure ongoing audit and quality assurance. Short term cost for long term gain – for everyone involved!Thanks again, and I will stay in touch.
Kofo Durosinmi-Etti
September 21, 2013That’s great stuff and I absolutely agree with your line of thoughts. I wish you great success in this endeavour. Look forward to hearing about your progress.
Bunmi Daramola
September 19, 2013Interesting! i believe this medium will create an avenue for people to know about the varieties of rice,especially the ofada rice.Does the ofada rice has a higher nutritional value compare to the polished imported ones?
Kofo Durosinmi-Etti
September 22, 2013Hi Bunmi, I have to agree with you :-). Yes it is believed that ofada rice is more nutritional than the imported polished rice.