Other News / Agriculture - 1 day ago
Farmers begin dry season rice farming
Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has kicked off its multi-billion naira dry season rice farming. Its President, Aminu Goroyo said, during the flag off in Abuja, that the project was being executed under the Central Bank on Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers programme (ABP). The president, however, said the group was working out the modalities for the fund disbursement with the bank. He said planting would start simultaneously in the 774 local government areas of the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Goroyo said each state and the FCT would distribute high-breed seeds and farm input to over 700,000 farmers that were expected to cultivate 570,000 hectares. “To this end, for easy cultivation and good harvesting, 52 registered input suppliers, 20 service providers and 450 private extension officers will be involved. “The programme, being a technology-driven process, will ensure that all aspects of the farming are involved. “This dry season farming is in strict compliance with the use of only irrigable land with adequate irrigation facilities under the supervision of extension agents,” he said. Goroyo said the CBN had expressed its willingness to continue to assist RIFAN because of its success in rice production. He said most farmers are enthu...