Obiano Assures 600,000 Metric Tons Of Rice This Year
Loading ...By Nedum Noble
Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has said that his administration was targeting increase in rice production yield from the current 345000 metric tons to 600000 before the end of the year.
He said the target was feasible following the introduction of new irrigation technology in rice production in the eight local government areas of the state where the crop was grown in large quantity.
Speaking during the inspection of the multi- million naira Center Pivot Irrigation System at Egwe Agwa Ogbakuba in Ogbaru local government area of the state, Obiano said the state would become net exporter of rice once the target was met as its local demand would have been surpassed.
“The installation of the new irrigation system in four locations in the state is to ensure all year round rice production, with the attendant multiplier effect of empowering of about 2500 farmers in the state,” he added.
According to the governor, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had agreed to provide funds to the State government to buy off all the paddy rice produced in the state, while millers would buy all the paddy rice from government, adding that the issue of unsold rice produced by the farmers would not arise.
Commending the people of the state for keying into the state government’s agricultural policy, Obiano pledged the government’s support in training youth farmers to update their knowledge in modern agriculture.
He further said that Sorghum would be added among the crops to be grown under the FADAMA 111 additional funding, stating that the Onitsha –based Sabmiller Breweries was a ready market for the sorghum to be produced in the state.
Also speaking, the state Coordinator, FADAMA 111 additional financing, Mr. Chukwuka Egbueh said eleven rural roads leading to the rice production belts in the state were being constructed, as part of efforts to ensure increased rice output, adding that 18 youth and women groups had been assisted through the provision rice mills, tricycles, threshers and de-stoners to ease their production activities.
He also said that FADAMA had built drying slabs at Umumbo, Ogbaru, Amanuke and Ifite Ogwari to ensure faster drying of rice, adding that the envisaged target would surely be met with the inputs by the state government.
