…to commence first Farmers School soon
Producer of the popular Ogoja Rice brand, Santuscom Agro-Hub, Monday, disclosed expanding its rice distribution network across the country following massive demands of the commodity.
This was made known by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Santuscom Agro – hub, Chief Paul Santus, while launching the company’s hashtag along with directors of the company at its corporate headquarters in Abuja.
According to Santus the essence of the launch of the hashtag was to make the Ogoja Rice brand a household name in the country and beyond. He added that within a short time the company in its production of quality and nutritious rice, about a thousand young people has been gainfully employed. He added that this is in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s rice revolution in the country.
He said: “We are doing our best to improve the country’s food security following our production of quality and nutritious Ogoja Rice brand that has been massively patronized by our esteemed and valued customers.
“We are expanding rapidly our distribution network across the country in order for the brand to be a household name that is also affordable as the rice is packaged in packs could meet the pockets of our esteemed customers with same quality.
“Today, we officially launch our promotional hashtag, #ISTANDWITHOGOJARICE. These will be taken to the length and breadth of the country.”
Some of the directors of the company present at the ceremony include, Mr Opoji Nkong, Mr Peter Ofana, Mr Ugbe, Comrade Michael Sunday Emaluji and its marketing officer, Mr Ipuole Patrick Adoga (#MomentumReports).
Meanwhile, according to the Santus Agro-Hub’s boss the company remains the single largest rice cultivating and producing company in Cross River State with over 200, 000 hectares.
He also stated that arrangements have been finalised for the commencement of Farmers Entrepreneurial School, which he explained that it has become necessary to give farmers the basic entrepreneurial training and knowledge in becoming full blown commercial farmers.
He added that they will be empowered with one hectare of farmland to practicalise what they want to specialise in and also expose young farmers to world class best farming practice and technology.
While addressing his directors on the preparedness of the company, the MD, Santus Agro-Hub who doubles as a traditional title holder, Omohe 1 of Yala, opined that the #FarmerSchool will build capacity of students in rice, cassava, yam farming, fishery, livestock farming, and amongst others with high yielding species as well as inculcate in them entrepreneurial zest.
He noted further that the school will impact young agripreneurs with the requisite knowledge and competence on the planting of the Cross River State Rice Seedlings and also to enable them tap into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Scheme.
He also revealed that the company has entered into partnership with University of Calabar’s faculty of Agriculture and other seasoned agribusiness institutions both locally and internationally to be facilitators at the school.
