From Our Correspondent
The Kebbi Government has procured fertiliser worth N2.6 billion and distributed it to farmers free, to enhance food production in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Shehu Mu’azu, announced this at a weekly press briefing, on Monday, in Birnin Kebbi.
Mu’azu added that this was in addition to the palliatives of grains worth N5.6 billion.
According to him, the government has also distributed 300 power tillers and 300 motorised pump sprayers, through the Farmers’ Cooperative Groups.
The commissioner further said the government procured 6,000 units of solar-powered irrigation pumps to boost dry-season farming
To prevent the destruction of rice and millet farms, the state government also facilitate activities towards controlling the destructive Quelea birds during the wet season.
“We also approved the procurement of 10,000 units of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for converted irrigation pumps.
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Mu’azu also said that the state government has paid counterpart funds of N350 million to upgrade 240 kilometres of rural roads. This is under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programme (RAAMP).
He said under the RAAMP, the government identified 240 kilometres of roads for upgrading and routine maintenance.
“So far, we have awarded the contract for the project’s first phase,” he said.
Under the Federal GOvernment’s Dry Season Production Programme, Mu’azu said 39,500 Kebbi farmers are participating in the cultivation of three food production.
These comprise 30,000 farmers growing rice, 7,500 farmers cultivating maize and 2,000 growing cassava.
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