Kebbi State government has applauded Wacot Rice Mills Limited for spearheading the Argungu Outgrower Expansion Programme (AOEP) which has helped several rice farmers to come out of the poverty trap.
The programme was designed by Wacot in collaboration with USAID and West Africa Trade and Investment Hub to boost rice production in Nigeria.
Governor Nasir Idris made the commendation in his address at the closing ceremony of AOEP held in Abuja recently.
Represented by the chief of staff (CoS), Barrister Attahiru Maccido, the governor described the programme as worthy of emulation and thanked the management of Wacot for initiating it.
He said the rice cultivation programme had lifted thousands of the rural dwellers out of abject poverty.
The governor commended Wacot management and other collaborators for initiating and sustaining the programme.
A total of 7,600 smallholding farmers in Kebbi State, including women and youths have been supported by Wacot Rice Mills Company Limited with agriculture inputs for enhanced agricultural yields, sustainable land management and expanded access to funds.
