By Afolaranmi Damilare and Adelakun Adeleke
The Osun State Coordinating Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting local agro-processing and value addition during an industrial visit to Wumsam Food Ofada Rice Mini Factory located at Aladanla Line 3 Junction, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The visit, led by the Osun State Coordinator, Mr. Adeyemi Saheed A., was aimed at assessing the factory’s operations, identifying challenges and exploring areas of collaboration to enhance productivity and sustainability.
Welcoming the delegation, the Chief Executive Officer of the factory, Mr. Adeoye Samson, expressed appreciation to the Council for the visit and described it as a morale booster for indigenous processors. He disclosed that the factory has been in operation for over ten years and noted that he pioneered organized rice packaging in Osun State.
Mr. Samson also revealed that the factory has the capacity to produce up to 20 tonnes of rice per day under optimal conditions. He stated that he is a member of the Rice Association of Nigeria and the Association of Small and Medium Scale Modular Rice Millers of Nigeria, Osun State chapter.
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However, he highlighted several challenges affecting the growth of the enterprise, including unfavourable government policies, limited market access, high transportation costs, unstable electricity supply and inadequate funding for expansion. He further explained that rice produced in the South is sometimes transported to the North for processing and resold to the South at higher prices, calling for stronger government intervention to support local processors.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Adeyemi commended Mr. Samson for sustaining the factory despite economic challenges. He reiterated RMRDC’s mandate of promoting the development and utilization of local raw materials for industrial growth and assured the factory of the Council’s readiness to provide technical guidance, policy linkage and support in accessing relevant programmes.
The State Coordinator also encouraged the factory owner to maintain closer engagement with the Council to benefit from industrial linkages and government-backed initiatives. He informed him of the upcoming capacity-building programme on sweet potato flour production scheduled for March 25, 2026, noting that the event would provide opportunities for learning, networking, and business visibility.
The visit concluded with renewed commitment from both parties to collaborate in strengthening local rice processing and enhancing agro-industrial development in Osun State.
