Rice Farmers In Kebbi Target Production of 1Million Tonnes of Rice Annually
Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Kebbi says it targets production of one million metric tonnes of rice annually on the platform of Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme.
The Chairman of the Association in Kebbi, Alhaji Sahabi Augie, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.
He said more than 70,000 farmers nationwide would participate in the programme to achieve the targeted quantity.
He also said farmers who cultivated between one and three hectres of rice would be placed in clusters to enable them to benefit from the programme, while others cultivating less than that would be recognised on individual basis.
He said inputs and equipment such as fertiliser, seedlings, insecticide, chemicals and water pumping machines will be given to each farmer to enable him cultivate one hectre.
The Chairman said that the association will monitor and also work closely with officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Agriculture and state officials to ensure success of the programme in the state.
Also, Alhaji Abdullahi Argungu, the Chairman, Wheat Farmers Association in the state, said that 10,000 farmers were participating in the programme.
He, however, complained of bad seeds, which had affected wheat production in the state. He said the anomaly will be reversed next dry season farming.
He added that the number of wheat farmers would also be increased from 10,000 to 20,000 to produce more during the period.
