From El-Yakub Dabai, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Chapter of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria RIFAN has acquired 400 hectres of arable land in Bagudo Local Government Area to commence the production of seeds
The State Chairman Bello Barade revealed this on Tuesday while on a courtesy call to Governor Nasir In Birnin Kebbi saying the gesture was a deliberate attempt to boost rice production in Nigeria
Barade said the project was in collaboration with Ahamadu Bello University, Zaria because the yield par hectare has gradually dropped as farmers used edible rice for seeds, therefore appealed to the State Government to financially support the project
Reacting to the Chairman’s speech,Governor Nadir Idris sympathised with the farmers over the deteriorating state of rice farming due to the hike in price of farm inputs and implements, assuring them of total support
To this end, He announced N70m as government support to the project and went further to say “Kebbi State is famous in rice and wheat production in Nigeria and beyond. I will sustain its lead as the number one producer of the commodities
“My government has placed top priority on agriculture, and I will explore all ways to help farmers to boost production in the state”
The National Financial Secretary of the Rice Farmers, Ahmed Ibrahim Suru urged the State Government to form a joint venture with the Farmers in order to ensure sustainable food security in the country
Suru informed the governor that rice farmers had been cultivating the commodity three times in a year, saying that twice during dry season farming while the third one during wet season farming using improved seeds which were in short supply at the moment
