Enugu Registers 22, 000 Rice Farmers

FADAMA 111 AF

FADAMA State Implementation Committee in Enugu State has registered over 22, 000 rice farmers.
State Coordinator, Ikechukwu Jude explained that though FADAMA III Additional Financing targets 5, 000 farmers for 5, 000 hectares of land for rice cultivation, the high number of registered farmers was due to the new reality of dwindling oil revenue that was making more people divert into agriculture.

He hoped that those who may not be captured by FADAMA III AF will be engaged by other state projects. “Before the end of the project in 2017, we are looking at about 30, 000 farmers to be engaged either by FADAMA III AF or by the state government.”

While the capacity of farmers is being developed in the state, the coordinator said the first and most important goal was to change the farmer’s orientation. “They must realize that farming is no longer development agriculture, but a business enterprise that must be diligently pursued”, he said.

Jude said the project would provide 50 per cent of the farmers needs as grants. This will include certified improved rice seeds, agro chemicals, fertilisers and other assets and infrastructure.

“The project has an approved six locations of seven installations for central pivot system of irrigation. That means farmers in that location will have over 350 hectares of land to be done three times a year, which means a cumulative 1, 050 hectares of rice farm in a year on that project alone.  A major off taker has also been contacted and assurance has been given to buy all the outputs, thereby resolving the issue of marketing,” he noted.