The head of the Hausa community in Alubarika Rice Farm Cluster, Bello Zabarmawa, has refuted claims of complete ownership and management of the Ogun 200-hectare rice farm.

Contrary to a report circulating on the internet, the Kebbi State businessman stated that the rice plantation is not completely his, and the state government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun has consistently supported the project.

Zabarmawa, who spoke to newsmen at the rice farm located in Magboro, Obafemi-Owode local government area, said 200 farmers of different ethnic groups had contributed and were cultivating the field.

He stated that the state government had brought the tractor and harvesters and paid 50% for fertilizers and chemicals.

He further explained that when the rice was ready to be harvested, he notified the government through the Young Agro Services, which was contracted by the state government as a service provider for the farmers.

The rice farmer stated that the government provided 3 harvesters and covered 65% of the work while each farmer was entitled to contribute 35%.

According to him, “I saw online that a media organization has claimed the government did not help us with what we are doing on this rice farm whereas the government has helped us with everything here.

“That isn’t true because the farm you’re looking at, everybody has their farm there, we have Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa farmers here on our farm.

“When we started this rice farm, the government supported us 50% in the process of providing tractors, fertilizers, and other things and the farmers covered the remaining 50%. When the farmers are unable to pay the 50% for the fertilizers I gave 30 Million to them to share and get the fertilizers and products needed for their farm.

“After I saw that the rice was ready to be harvested, I called the young Agro services and reached out to the government. The government provided 3 harvesters and covered 65% of the work while each farmer was entitled to contribute 35%.

“I even keep reaching out to the government to please do more help so Nigeria can be free of this hunger people are talking about.”

Also, the chairman of the Alubarika Farm Cluster, Mr. Adelowo Salam, noted that he was surprised by the report, adding that he saw some people at the farm, but was unaware that they were newsmen who came to report.

He disclosed that Governor Abiodun promised to expand the farmland by another 2,000 hectares because of the potential seen in them, thereby saying that the previous report was nothing but a fallacy.

Meanwhile, the service provider of the farm Young Farm Service Provider CEO, Mr. Ajibola Johnson cautioned anyone trying to use political affluence to sabotage the effort of government on food security.

He noted that due to the performance of the Alubarika Farm Cluster, the government has promised to expand the land to reduce and improve food security.

He said he was displeased that Bello claimed that he owned of the harvester while noting that he brought the Harvester to the farm through the Young Farm Service as a service provider to the farm cluster.