Government releases N54m to boost rice production
- By Super Admin
- Published 08/21/2010
- News
- Unrated
The government of Nasarawa has released the sum of N54 million as its counterpart fund for various agricultural projects in the state.
The state commissioner of agricultural, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar, stated this during the flag-off of the distribution of the New Rice for Africa, (NARICA) variety and commissioning of an office at NADP headquarters, Lafia, recently.
The New Rice for Africa, (NARICA) initiative which began in 2004 is being implemented in Nigeria by six states including Nasarawa, with the aim of increasing rice production through the use of the narica rice varieties by farmers.
The programme was being sponsored by the African Development Bank (ADB) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with support from the Nasarawa State Government.
Dr. Ahmed said that Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma has directed all outstanding counterpart funds for agricultural projects in the state such as Fadama III, National Programme for Food Security and Narica to be paid by the end of September this year.
He said that the seasonal crop has increased the output of rice production in the state to 137,600 metric tones, an increase of about 20 per cent.
While commending the African Development Bank for choosing the state as one of the pilot states for the implementation of the project, the commissioner said the project would improve the lives of the farmers.
On his part, the programme manager, Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme, Mr. Jarumi Dacho, said that the implementation of the project has been impressive as farmers in the state have produced 54 metric tones of the improved rice seed in the past two years.
Mr. Dacho called on the benefiting staff and farmers to make use of the items distributed to them with a view to actualizing the aim of the project.
On his part, the national coordinator of narica rice project, Dr. Lawal Daura, expressed his satisfaction with the achievements recorded by the project in the state, assuring farmers that farm tools would soon be distributed to them in order to improve their production.
In a related development, farmers in Nasarawa State have gradually started embracing the mechanized system of farming, courtesy of the Badakoshi Agricultural Scheme introduced by Governor Doma led-administration to ensure food security in the state.
The state chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Matthew Akwe, made this known in Lafia, recently.
According to the AFAN chairman, farmers were now using the mechanized system of farming for improved yield.
He said that the government has provided tractors and cash loans worth millions of naira to farmers, adding that the scheme which would last for the next three years would make every farmer smile at the end of the scheme.
Mr. Akwe dispelled rumours making the round that rural farmers were excluded from the Badakoshi Agricultural Scheme.
The state commissioner of agricultural, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar, stated this during the flag-off of the distribution of the New Rice for Africa, (NARICA) variety and commissioning of an office at NADP headquarters, Lafia, recently.
The New Rice for Africa, (NARICA) initiative which began in 2004 is being implemented in Nigeria by six states including Nasarawa, with the aim of increasing rice production through the use of the narica rice varieties by farmers.
The programme was being sponsored by the African Development Bank (ADB) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with support from the Nasarawa State Government.
Dr. Ahmed said that Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma has directed all outstanding counterpart funds for agricultural projects in the state such as Fadama III, National Programme for Food Security and Narica to be paid by the end of September this year.
He said that the seasonal crop has increased the output of rice production in the state to 137,600 metric tones, an increase of about 20 per cent.
While commending the African Development Bank for choosing the state as one of the pilot states for the implementation of the project, the commissioner said the project would improve the lives of the farmers.
On his part, the programme manager, Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme, Mr. Jarumi Dacho, said that the implementation of the project has been impressive as farmers in the state have produced 54 metric tones of the improved rice seed in the past two years.
Mr. Dacho called on the benefiting staff and farmers to make use of the items distributed to them with a view to actualizing the aim of the project.
On his part, the national coordinator of narica rice project, Dr. Lawal Daura, expressed his satisfaction with the achievements recorded by the project in the state, assuring farmers that farm tools would soon be distributed to them in order to improve their production.
In a related development, farmers in Nasarawa State have gradually started embracing the mechanized system of farming, courtesy of the Badakoshi Agricultural Scheme introduced by Governor Doma led-administration to ensure food security in the state.
The state chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Matthew Akwe, made this known in Lafia, recently.
According to the AFAN chairman, farmers were now using the mechanized system of farming for improved yield.
He said that the government has provided tractors and cash loans worth millions of naira to farmers, adding that the scheme which would last for the next three years would make every farmer smile at the end of the scheme.
Mr. Akwe dispelled rumours making the round that rural farmers were excluded from the Badakoshi Agricultural Scheme.
