Business
Rice Farmers Commend FG For Early Fertilisers, Seeds
Some farmers in Hadejia,
Jigawa, have commended the Federal Government for the timely distribution of fertilisers and seeds, saying the gesture would accelerate paddy rice production.
The government earmarked 48, 000 hectares of farmland for rice cultivation this dry season in the state.
The government also distributed fertiliser, seeds and chemicals to the over 150,000 registered farmers under its Growth Enhancement Support (GES) programme, otherwise called e-wallet scheme.
Our correspondent also reports that each of the benefiting farmers received three bags of the commodities from the programme.
A cross section of the farmers told journalists in Hadejia that the programme has enhanced access to fertilisers and encouraged production.
Alhaji Maiunguwa Jaga, Financial Secretary, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in the state, described the scheme as a ‘step forward’ towards transforming agriculture in the country.
Jaga said that the gesture had eased difficulties being experienced by farmers in accessing the commodities.
“It is a clear indication of the Federal Government’s commitment to the transformation of agriculture and its resolve to support farmers.
“It will also attract more farmers into paddy rice production,” he said.
Jaga said the association has mobilised farmers to ensure effective utilisation of the commodities to boost their production out put.
Another farmer, Malam Ibrahim Auwal, also called for private sector investment in rice production and development of farmer enterprising skills.
Auwal stressed the need for capital investment in the development of rice mill and processing to add value to the produce.
He explained that such investments were necessary to promote competition and meet local demand.
“We need investment to accelerate development of rice mills, to improve the quality of rice produced by local farmers,” he said.
Some of the crops produced by farmers include rice, wheat, maize, miller, watermelon, tomatoes, onions and vegetable.