Kebbi Gov Gives Farmers N70m To Boost Rice/Wheat Farming

Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris has donated N70 million to the state chapters of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria and Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria for the purchase of improved seeds to boost rice and wheat farming in the state.

The gesture was announced by the governor during a courtesy visit by the leaders of the associations at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

He said Kebbi State is famous in rice and wheat production in Nigeria and beyond, adding that he would sustain its lead as the number one producer of commodities.

“My administration has placed top priority on agriculture, and I will explore all ways to help farmers to boost production in the state.

“Now that the subsidy has been removed, the only alternative is to embrace agriculture; and the government will assist wherever necessary; that is why I am making the donation of N70 million for the purchase of improved seeds to sustain the cultivation of both crops,” he said.

According to him, the present government under his watch is the government of the common man with an open door policy.

Governor Idris thanked the members of the association for their support towards ensuring his victory.

Earlier, Alhaji Bello Barade, the state chairman of RIFAN, said they were at the Government House together with members of WFAN to congratulate the governor on his election victory and giant strides recorded within 100 days in office.

“I am thanking the governor for appointing two members of RIFAN  as commissioners and his chief of staff.  “This shows that the governor has incorporated RIFAN 100 per cent in his administration, “he said. Barade informed the governor that the rice farmers had been cultivating the commodity three times in a year, saying that two times during dry season farming and one wet season farming using improved seeds which were in short supply.