Rice (genues oryza) is tolerant to desert, hot, humid, flooded, dry and cool conditions and grows in saline, alkaline and acidic soils. There are 23 oryza species. Two of them are cultivated: oryza sativa, which originated in the humid tropics of Asia, and glaberrima from West Africa.
The soils in Ile-Ife and Ilesa areas fall within the rainforest of the State. They are Itagunmodi Series which are mostly friable red clays that may contain some iron stone desritus at depth. The soil in Iwo area contains much of quart gravel and smaller amount of pisolitic concentration. Ikire and Apomu areas contain sandy and loamy soils. These soils are good selectively for upland and lowland rice.
Upland rice is grown in Oriade, Obokun,Ila and Osogbo LGAs. But it can still be grown in other Local Government Areas of the State.