Business
Rice Farmers Laud IFAD For Support
Rice farmers in Auyo,
Jigawa State, have commended the International Fund for Agricultural Development over its agriculture support programme.
Our correspondent reports that IFAD is supporting farmers with fertilisers and inputs under its Community Based Agriculture and Rural Development Programme (CBARDP).
A cross section of the farmers told our correspondent at the Gamafoi rice plantation that such support programmes had encouraged paddy rice production.
Malam Haladu Magaji, a farmer, said that farmers in the area benefited from the fertilisers, seeds, water pumps and tube wells under the programme.
Magaji said that the programme had also constructed a 500-kilogramme capacity rice mill plant in the area to encourage processing, add value and provide market for the commodity.
“I am now working on a 20-hectare rice farm as against the 10 hectares cultivated last season.
“We are encouraged to form farmer groups and about 30 farmers have benefited from the programme,” he said.
He added that the programme had enhanced their access to fertilisers and reduced difficulties experienced in rice processing.
Another farmer, Musa Iliyasu, said the training of farmers by the programme had improved their enterprising skills.
Illiyasu explained that the programme had trained farmers on rice processing, packaging and modern preservation techniques.
“We enjoy good patronage due to the improved quality of the local rice; and we thank IFAD for the support.”