Obiano shames critics as production starts at Coscharis Farms, Anaku

www.odogwublog.com will say Governor Willie Obiano has done one thing that will close the mouth of his critics as many believed he was sharing Anambra land to his friends and his aideds friends as nothing in return has come to Ndi Anambra since the dance of Billions investment.
First harvesting of rice at the 300 hectare-Rice field belonging to Coscharis Farms, at Anaku in Ayamelum Council Area, has commenced.
The Rice Farm Project is an outcome of a multi-million dollar Memorandum of Understanding signed in January this year between the State Government and the Coscharis Group.
The 508 square kilometer Rice Farm Project expected to cover a total of 2,800 hectares of land to be GPS land-leveled with full irrigation capability, had kicked off earlier this year with clearing of about 500 hectares of land out of which 300 hectares were cultivated.
When the ABS visited the site, harvesting was ongoing with a hi-tech four wheel harvester on site while construction of Farm Structures was ongoing despite the heavy downpour in recent days.
The produce was then moved through a mechanized process to the temporary Pallets where they were being bagged by casual workers, to be either taken for milling or to be packaged as seedlings for replanting.
According to Engr. Wessel Ludewig, an Expatriate from South Africa handling the Harvester, they have been able to cover only 3 hectares due to the muddy condition of the soil occasioned by the heavy downpour as against the 12 hectare per day capacity of the equipment if the conditions are perfect.
Speaking to newsmen, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Afam Mbanefo said the project was one of its numerous engagements with private investors through which the present administration aims to drive its vision for the transformation of the State Agricultural Sector to fruition, adding that the timelines agreed for the MoUs were being monitored to ensure compliance and prompt delivery of the projects.
According to him, an outstanding benefit of the venture is the collaboration with Out growers where they will be provided with new improved rice seedlings and also linked with their off-takers to ensure that their produce are exhausted, noting that plans are underway as to how the Silos at Igbariam will be utilized for proper storage of grains in the event of bumper harvest so as to avoid glut of any kind.
The General Manager of the Farm, Mr Bharat Dhir explained that they had a temporary arrangement to plant and harvest as early as possible as a precautionary measure towards the predictions of heavy flooding this year as well as to generate enough seedlings to distribute to Out growers for improved yield in the next planting season.
He further revealed that they are partnering irrigation Consortia from the Netherlands, Australia and South Africa to develop a master irrigation plan and flood management system for the farm as a permanent solution to the flood problems anticipated in the area.

It will be recalled that the engagement with the Farm as alluded to by Governor Willie Obiano, is to produce about 150, 000 metric tons of rice to support the 20,000 metric tons which the state is at present producing, and which falls short of the total 300,000 metric tons it consumes.

According to the Governor, with the increased support to out growers, the y will be able to generate the remaining balance that will overturn the deficit and guarantee food sufficiency in rice production  as well as generate surplus for export.