The Kebbi government has donated N70 million to rice and wheat farmers to facilitate procurement of improved seeds to accelerate paddy production.
The state governor, Nasir Idris announced this during a courtesy by the leadership of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) and Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN), in Binrin Kebbi on Tuesday.
According to him, Kebbi is famous in rice and wheat production in Nigeria and beyond, adding that his administration would sustained the tempo.
He said that his administration accorded premium to agriculture through viable farmer support services to encourage productivity.
“Now that the subsidy has been removed, the only alternative is to embrace agriculture, and government will assist wherever necessary; that is why I am making the donation of N70 million for the purchase of improved seeds to sustain the cultivation of both crops,” he said.
Earlier, Alhaji Bello Barade, the Chairman of RIFAN, said the visit was to congratulate the governor over his election victory.
Barade commended the governor over the appointment of two farmers as members of the State Executive Council (SEC).
This, he said, indicated the governor’s readiness to include farmers in the scheme of things.
According to Barade, farmers are cultivating crops three times in a year during dry and wet seasons, adding that the association was cultivating about 400 hectres of outgrower farms to enhance access to improved rice seeds in the state.
“The cultivation of 400 hectres outgrower farm in Bagudo Local Government Area, estimated to cost N70 million for distribution to the farmers,” he said.
He further sought for more support to encourage agricultural productivity.
Also speaking, Alhaji Ibrahim Suru, RIFAN’s National Financial Secretary, advocated for partnership with the state government to enhance inputscsupply to the farmers.
He pledged continued support to government’s policies and programmes for sustainable social and economic development of the state.