The Project 1000 Farms Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited has signed a N4 million Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and Ekondo Microfinance Bank in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The Secretary of the Youth-based cooperative society, Mr Dough Onah, who stated this in a statement said, the MoA is an interest free loan/intervention fund of SMEDAN's One Local Government One Product initiative approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria for disbursement.

According to the statement, President of Project 1000 Farms, Mr Ogar Sunday Ogbor and Secretary, Mr Dough Onah, both co-signed  the MoA and had the opportunity to meet with the other beneficiaries for the South-South zone of the SMEDAN, OLOP project, held at the Emerald Hotel, Port Harcourt.

The Director General of SMEDAN, Dr Dikko Umaru Raddo and the Managing Director, Ekundo Micro Finance Bank signed the document respectively on behalf of their esteemed organisations.

Mr Dough further revealed that the interest free loan and intervention fund, will be judiciously used for the processing Cassava into Cassava flour, Cassava Chips and hygienic Garri suitable for Diabetic patients and for consumption both locally and internationally.

The Project1000 MPCS Limited is among the three MSMEs representing Cross River State and the Northern Senatorial District in the SMEDAN OLOP project to benefit from the N12 million allocated to the state, which is geared towards production of indigeneous agricultural products in each zone of the country.

This is a part of the SMEDAN 2017 budget year and N4 million is a 30% grant and 70% loan to cover cost for working capital, equipments and work space, which will be disbursed in installments as the program unfolds.

The Project 1000 Farms MPCS Limited is a subset of Project 1000 a citizen oriented organisation for Yala young Urban Professionals.

He noted that, it has been a long time coming after the kick off the #project1000 as a solution driven citizenship forum on the 9th of June 2018, since then the forum have identified the challenges of the Yala LGA and proffered solutions to them along the lines of Agriculture, Education, ICT, Culture and Tourism as a means of addressing Youth unemployment and as a way of curbing social vices that has reached an all time high in Yala LGA since it's inception in August of 1991.

It is on this note that we are expressing our sincere appreciation to the Federal Government, SMEDAN and its officials who believed in our projects and our vision as a startup and has given us this opportunity.

We in special way thank Mr Charles Offoboche, Mr. Ebriku John Friday  and Team for their earnest support and believe in making this work for we understand that it is impossible to have consistency if the people around do not support you and this is the most difficult challenge young people face.

Ours has been different as we've received massive encouragement from our mentors and receive sound advice from other Agro business experts all around us.

In the same vein, we want to appreciate members of this the #project1000 MPCS Limited whose resources have gone into this project in various ways.

It's amazing what young people can achieve when they come together and speak in one voice and even contribute resources to fund a project they believe in, it goes a long way in setting the tune of how things work and for this we are most grateful to God for inspiring us and keeping our belief and hopes alive even in the darkest of times.

Our sincere appreciation goes out also to stakeholders at various levels from Yala who has in our one year of existence believed in our vision and banked on us.

Kudos to Chief Paul Santus, CEO of Santuscom Agro Hub who inspires the project1000 farms, attorney Alphonsus Ogar Eba, our national legal adviser for always sharing his experience in guiding us, Hon. Bravo whom when we needed the most push to keep the vision burning, called a meeting in Yala that renewed our energy when we were at our lowest.

There are no words to express this.

Thank you all for being a part of this progress.

We seize this opportunity to call on well meaning sons and daughters of YALA and CROSS RIVER STATE at large to support this vision for the general good of the Yala people.

Signed:
Dough ONAH, Secretary
Project 1000 Farms MPCS LIMITED.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

The Management of Santuscom Agro - hub is pleased to announce commencement of e-REGISTRATION for  RICE and COTTON farmers under the Santuscom Farmers Outgrowers Scheme.

Registered farmers stand to benefit from our training on modernised farming as well as various facilities and empowerment to increase output.

Registration begins:

Date - Monday 8/7/19

Venue - No 1, Liyel Imoke Drive, Okuku Yala, Cross River State.

Call - 09057914220 for further enquiries or visit: http://www.huetzmobile.com/santuscom

Tell a farmer to tell a farmer!

#SantuscomAgroHub
#FarmersSchool
#OgojaRice
#OgojaTomatoPaste
#OgojaGroundnutOil
#OgojaHoney

Producer Of Ogoja Rice Expands Distribution Network

…to commence Farmers Entrepreneur 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 finalized 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.

By Chidi Onyemaizu

It was a cold and rainy Friday evening in the ancient town of Ogoja. The inclement weather did not however, prevent Governor Ben Ayade from storming the town.
Mission: To inspect ongoing installation of equipment at the Ogoja rice mill, one of the showpieces of his aggressive Industrialisation drive.

"It is eye popping, jaw dropping," chorused many catching a glimpse of the mill for the first time.
The magnificence of the mill left mouths agape. And then, someone in the bewildered crowd billowed: “seeing is believing.”

And in a dramatic twist, one of the first time visitors, fixing a direct, deep gaze on the state of the art machineries at the mill said he could not believe he was not somewhere in Frankfurt, Germany.
"No! This can't be Cross River...this can't be Ogoja. This (the rice mill) looks more like what I have once come across in Frankfurt, Germany," he  said, to no one in particular.

Then almost in the same breath, he exclaimed loudly "seeing is believing!" re-echoing the initial sayer of the word.

Looking at the direction of Governor Ayade who all the while was being debriefed by engineers on site as he inspected a section of the mill after another, the awe struck first timer, as if remote- controlled by unseen forces let out music-like rendition- "Oh yes, I know, I now believe;  seeing is believing; I have seen; now i believe.This is Ogoja and not Frankfurt, this is our own rice mill. Ayade is the best, this governor has shown class.This mill is classy!"

During inspection tour to the Rice Meal

The above scenario played out Friday May 31st, 2019 during governor Ayade's tour of the ultra modern Ogoja rice mill, the first and biggest of its kind in Africa. Apparently satisfied with the level of work at the plant, the governor said the facility which is about 95 completed will commence production in a few months time.

According to the elated governor, the Ogoja rice mill boasts the latest technology. He disclosed that a team of German experts were in the plant to ensure that it runs on solar non-stop.

"This the first vitaminised rice plant in Africa, this is the latest technology...this is innovative. We have a team from Germany working to see that the plant runs on solar because if the mill has to run on diesel we will be running the factory at a loss," he said.

Also on the inspection train was the immediate past Cross River state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke.

Beaming with smiles and exuding satisfaction, the former governor was full of praises for his predecessor, describing the establishment of the rice mill as huge and timely.

Commending governor Ayade on his Industrialisation drive, the former governor said Ayade's industries are life-changing and have redefined Cross River, changing the economic narratives of the state.

"The rice mill is huge, it is  a project that makes economic sense, it is a project that creates employment, I love the location, it is ideally located. It will capture  rice from northern, central and Southern Cross River in terms of access to the market", Imoke said

The former governor@@q  further stated that  the establishment of the rice mill was timely.

"I have always talked about timing. The Ogoja rice mill came at the right time. It came at a time the federal  government has committed billions of naira to local rice production."

"This mill fits into the governor's vision for industrialized Cross River. So, in the area of Industrialization, I give it to him," Imoke further stressed.

Apart from serving rice growers in Cross River, experts and rice farmers say the Ogoja rice mill can also be of use for rice farmers in Benue and near by Ebonyi State as there are no modern rice mills in the two states.

The industrialization effort of Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has started yielding fruits as the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has placed a N3 billion order for the state to supply rice seedlings to all the states in the southern part of the country.
Governor Ayade disclosed this to news men recently at the Rice Seedling and Seed Multiplication Factory located along Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Bypass in Calabar.
The governor who upon taking oath of office for a second term turned his office to that of a project manager said: “Today I can tell you proudly that we have received a N3 billion order from the Federal Government through its Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)/Rice Framers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) rice value chain programme to produce and supply seedlings to all the states in the southern part of our country.”
Beaming with excitement, Ayade said: "So, I have N3 billion in my pocket as we speak and I can say it loudly that I have almost recovered my investment here in this factory. That’s smart thinking and that’s the way I’m going."

According to the governor, "You can imagine the same rice seedling factory that the social media reported that immediately after its commissioning by Mr. President, the vendors came in and packed their equipment, but today that same factory is the one giving Cross River this huge amount through a contract with the Federal Government.

"The Rice Seeds and Seedlings Factory was my first term project. What we are doing here is to produce high quality and disease resistant seedlings to farmers and we have started reaping from our labour."
On his new position as a Projects Manager of the state the governor disclosed that "Immediately I took the oath of office for my second term, I downgraded my position to that of a project manager while my deputy  will be acting as governor.
"So, indeed, I have also given him approval limit up to N1 billion. He will do that without recourse to me.

"He is a professor and more experienced than me and I strongly believe that he’s got the capacity to run government to allow me bring my energy to bear in the various industries we have set up."

Continuing, he said: "As you can see, I started so many projects, most of which are at 80 to 90 percent completion level. So, I’m just struggling to ensure that all the factories and our industrial clusters start rolling out products into the market."
Offering details of his role as projects manager, Governor Ayade further hinted: "As a project manager, I will be spending most of my time in Ikom Local Government Area to allow me properly monitor all my developmental projects in the central senatorial district including the cocoa processing plant and the superhighway projects  as well as the ultra modern vitaminized rice processing plant in Ogoja, amongst others.

"So, I will be shuttling between Ogoja and Ikom. For this reason, I am taking delivery of a mobile house soon to allow me a working space any where I will be going across the state.”
He said he will dedicate the next four years to “projects management to get all projects into finalization. You will not see me again in the office except during executive council meetings, or I’m receiving investors or federal government delegations. I want to ensure that we deliver on all our projects and in good time.

I want to prove a point to the world that it is not all black men that think from their stomach. I use my brian and I want to say that money is not everything, otherwise, Cross River State would have collapsed.”
But painstakingly, Ayade said "Cross River State is trying to take a lead but with almost zero allocation relative to our overhead costs,  but that is where the joy lies because if the governor’s job is to sit down and receive allocations, award contracts and approve payment then, any Tom, Dick and Harry can be a governor.

"The beauty of a governor comes when there is creativity, where the intellect comes to play and you take decisions that will affect the populace positively. I see the prosperity ahead and I feel a sense of pride that today, we are industrializing with visible factories and companies already employing our teeming youths. So, I can’t achieve these by sitting down in an air-conditioned office, I must move to the field."
Challenging Cross Riverians to judge him after eight years, the governor said: "After eight years, when you look back at the income of the state and where I would have taken the state to, even if you are the son of a devil, you will say Ayade has done well. At that time, even my most ardent critic will say he was wrong."

SANCTUSCOM AGRO HUB AND SUSTAINABLE AGRO ALLIED WEALTH CREATION




By: Ogar Solomon Ogar

THE COMPANY
Incorporated in 2010 to make impact in cash cropping and agro allied services, Santuscom Agro - hub is a symbol of the group’s commitment to the agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy which remains the main stay of the generality of Nigerians.

Santuscom Agro Hub is a solely Nigerian company with corporate head office in Abuja. The company is involved in the production and packaging of farm products and processing of agro-allied products so as to assist in the growth of the agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy. 

Agriculture which is the most important sector in the Nigerian economy employs 60% of Nigerians, and contributes up to 35% of the country’s GDP. Agriculture remains the mainstay of the generality of Nigerians though largely at the subsistence level. As in many other African countries, agriculture in Nigeria is mostly focused on food crops for the domestic market, given the Nigerian population estimated at 150 million people and in spite of this reality, Nigeria remains a net importer of food.

Santuscom Agro Hub has been able to explore and make an impact in cash cropping, massively developing and expanding its farmlands up till date. Today, the farm is a forward-integrated agro-allied company under Santuscom Group.

AGRICULTURAL THRUST
Its main thrust is farm management and partnership, food production and marketing, integrated rice farming, fishery and aquaculture, training and empowerment, animal husbandry and agro commerce. Santuscom is also involved in the production and packaging of food, beverages, and processing of agro allied products.

Presently consisting of a large expanse of rice plantation's, poultry and  fish ponds at different stages of maturity in Cross River State, the company is also set to expand her frontiers outside the state.

STAFFING AND GROWTH
 Santuscom currently employs workers of various grades and plans to double the number when the extension  program of the agro hub is fully implemented. Santuscom is among the top medium scale companies in Nigeria with a tremendous steady growth in the industry. Over the years, the company have built a very solid reputation and profile spreading through every sector of the Nigerian economy.

CHAIRMAN OBJECTIVES
In a recent chat with SolomonIsland, the group Chairman/President Chief Paul Santus said, "we strongly believe that commodity export which is one of our major areas of business does not face any threat of technological/product obsolescence in the near future. We foresee continuous growth over the coming years, though our basic export commodities require a massive storage facility in order to meet export requirements of both local and foreign customers, we need to stock adequate quantities of an entire range of commodities".

"Also our ability to have adequate quantities of commodities is to ensure very competitive prices, availability of supplies and of course acceptable quality levels required by the multinationals. This has been our strength over the years and we will continue to build on this. We will substantially invest in IT and ensure all critical areas of operations such as inventory planning, costing, sales and personnel are computerized and contribute towards the efficient running of the company, with a well staffed office that looks after the company’s sales and marketing efforts locally and internationally, in addition to overseeing the importation, exportation, clearing and transportation of raw materials".

MARKET:
The market for  Santuscom products is increasing on a daily basis making it is even more difficult to meet the demands of the local retailers its environs. Despite the challenges faced in the industry, Santuscom Agro Hub is desirous not to lower its standards but instead  improved on its services to customers by trying to understand each customer’s needs through its persistent sales representatives who monitor the progress of the market, get feedback from customers concerning its products, and give feedback to management. Each product is designed to fit the needs of each customer.

VISION
To be one of the leading players in the agro-allied industries in Nigeria so as to be able to provide the customer with quality products by using the right crop varieties, farm management techniques and sustained quality.

MISSION
To create wealth and redistribute maximum wealth through sustainable agricultural methods.

His Excellency, the governor of Cross River state, Senator (Professor) Ben Ayade has directed that the recent allocation of cocoa farms undertaken by the State Cocoa Allocation Committee be cancelled.

A statement in Calabar  by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, quoted Professor Ayade as instructing that the cancellation takes effect immediately.

The Cross River State government team on Agricultural Revolution is undertaking a State wide advocacy and sensitization programme with Farmers and stakeholders in the State, to further the efforts of the administration of His Excellency,  Senator  Prof. Ben Ayade in achieving greater results in the Agricultural Revolution.

The team paid a courtesy visit to the Obol Lopon of Ugep today, as well as leaders of thought.
The revered Traditional ruler assured government of adequate support and participation in the state's agricultural program, for increased cultivation of rice as well as maize and ginger Farming.

The Team comprising of Sir Oliver Ntui; SA on Agricultural Enterprise, Barr Tessy Mogbor; SA on Cooperative Mobilization, Mr Willy Momnang; Secretary of Rice Company, Godwin Aniah; Director of Rice Mgt Board, Nkor Nathaniel; PA Rice Project, Mr Ubi Ubana, Head of Arable Crops of the State Ministry of Agriculture, Chief Owali Ilem, Retired Permanent Secretary  and Chief Omini; Coordinator of CR-FACE of Yakurr LGA and others,  equally delivered the message of government to farmers in town hall meetings at Biase LGA, Yakurr LGA,  Abi LGA,  Obubra LGA, as well as visited Rice Farms in the area.

By Wordu Richard


Beans is very good to the body isn't it?
Now,u will discover that the northerners are the major producers of beans in the country and every person depends on it for food because it is nutritious and also very rich in protein.But we in Cross River north yala to be specific depends sorely on tuber crops like yam,wateryam,cassava, etc which is our major source of income..
Farmers in these area hv been lamenting on the low market price of these commodities that hv cripple them and can no more send their children to school any more.The money gotten from produce sold is nothing to right home about.A basin of garri is 1800-2000,ten mother yams can be bought with 2000.00,and it a very big problem to the farmers in these part of the country.
The yala people are blessed with rich soil and not that the yield is not good but goods are so cheap in the market that a farmer at the end of sale is unable to subtract money out( expenses made) from money in(sales of goods).and is so annoying that a farmer has to spend money,time and energy for a long period of time waiting patiently to reap from what he sow but at the end,nothing to show for the struggles .
It is in these regards that I am of the opinion that farmers in yala should diversify to seeds crops like beans,beneseeds,melon,groundnut,guineacorn,rice.etc .these are crops that is fething good money for those who produce them like the Northerners..
From the pic u hv seen,this is an experiment of beans farming I hv done on the 22/8/2018 in yala .
If u calculate,it is should be 47days now and it has started producing.But come to check that of cassava and yam,how long do u hv to wait for it to produce?1-2years if am not mistaken.U can see that it is time consuming.
There is an urgent need for farmers in yala Local Government Area of Cross River State to diversify to seed crop that bring more money to meet up with the high economy rate that is fast growing and also require   less time to maturity.
Farming is real business and if u are a farmer,pls do not be ashame ok.do it with all ur heart because that is food u are producing to feed the nation.Remember,God commanded Adam to cultivate the soil before he can feed his family.And that is patient.For a farmer to plant and wait till maturity before harvesting needs patients.U also need to do the necessary things(fertilizer application,weed control,insecticides) in order to get bountiful harvest.God bless all the farmers out there as u imbibe these seeds farming.
#wordurichard#


TEV_Media

A'akwa autonomous community is a small settlement with massive land mass for rice farming in Okpoma Yala local government  of  Cross River State. The community is synonymous with remoteness of lying somewhere at the end of the road bounded by the great River Oe'yi Onwu. But for rice cultivation in Cross River State, this arid land with ancient buildings is a ready host to commercial rice farming in this millennium.

Now, thanks to the efforts of Santuscom  Agro Hub pioneered by Paul Santus, a new wave of rice technology has begun to ripple across the community. This technology have the potential to more than double yields, while raising the productivity of land, water, labour and capital. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI),  by Santuscom is now being tested and adopted by several farmers, who thought that they had tried every technique available to improve their crop production. Beyond Okpoma, sceptics are also taking the results seriously with the influx  of rice farmers who troop on daily basis to have a first hand sight of the over 100hectares Santuscom rice farm at A'akwa.

In SRI, rice plants are transplanted early, after just 8-12 days in an unflooded nursery, and they are planted singly, rather than in clumps. Planting is a precision task, done in a square pattern with relatively wide spacing: 25-30 cm between plants. This increases the sunlight each receives and gives roots more room to grow. Fields are ideally kept damp rather than completely flooded, creating a more aerated environment, which promotes root development and diversity of soil organisms.

Farmers in the area are also enthusiastic about the new variety of paddy introduced by Santuscom high tillers and large quantum of grains in each tiller raised on the farm.

“The crop raised on the field is ready for harvesting. Unlike other varieties with a gestation period of 140 days, this new variety is ready for harvest in 105-110 days which means we can cultivate three times in a year.  There is also reduction in production cost, use of water, fertilizers and other inputs,” the group chairman said in a recent chat with Solomon Island.

In line with the recent directives of President Muhammadu Buhari at the commissioning of the Cross River State Rice Seedling Factory,  Santuscom Agro Hub is negotiation with the Cross River State government on areas of partnership and mutual synergy to boost rice production to meet domestic and national demands.

According to the Chairman, "with the level of discussion so far with the State Rice Seedling Factory and all equipments on ground for harvest, i am optimistic that the rice plantation will create employment and that the improved, high yield disease resistant various from our will double national yield and consumption".