RIFAN targets production of 1m tonnes of rice annually

Rice Farmers

Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Kebbi says it targets production of one million metric tonnes of rice annually on the platform of Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme.


The Chairman of the Association in Kebbi, Alhaji Sahabi Augie, said more than 70,000 farmers nationwide would participate in the programme to achieve the targeted quantity.

He also said farmers who cultivated between one and three hectres of rice would be placed in clusters to enable them to benefit from the programme, while others cultivating less than that would be recognised on individual basis.

He said inputs worth N210, 000 would be given to each farmer per hectre as loan in the scheme.
``Inputs and equipment such as fertiliser, seedlings, insecticide, chemicals and water pumping machines will be given to each farmer to enable him cultivate one hectre.

``The association will also work closely with officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Agriculture and state officials to ensure success of the programme,’’ he said.

Also, Alhaji Abdullahi Argungu, the Chairman, Wheat Farmers Association in the state, said that 10,000 farmers were participating in the programme. He, however, said that the infiltration of bad seeds had affected wheat production in the state.

``At the start of the dry season, farmers got unfit seeds; the anomaly will be reversed next dry season farming.

``The number of wheat farmers would also be increased from 10,000 to 20,000 to produce more during the period,’’ he said.