By; BALA B. BITRUS, Minna
As prices of foodstuff remain unaffordable to mass of the population across the state, Niger State Government has expressed it’s preparedness to explore ways to increase food production by farmers in the state.
As prices of foodstuff remain unaffordable to mass of the population across the state, Niger State Government has expressed it’s preparedness to explore ways to increase food production by farmers in the state.
The state government said it is willing to partner the National Cereals Research Institute,(NCRI), Badeggi to improve on rice, soya beans and sugar cane farming by farmers in the state to boost food production that would beside ensuring adequate food security, also make the state a buffer zone for raw materials for industries and for export markets.
The NCRC, Badeggyi in Bida, Niger state, established in 1898, is the oldest national agriculture research centre for improved varieties of cereals including rice, wheat, and legumes such as soya beans and sugar cane.
The NCRC, Badeggyi in Bida, Niger state, established in 1898, is the oldest national agriculture research centre for improved varieties of cereals including rice, wheat, and legumes such as soya beans and sugar cane.
The partnership will entail assisting the Niger state Ministry of Agriculture in the production of varieties of improved seeds and seedlings for rice, soya beans, sugar cane and other cereals for high yields to farmer as food crops to feed the population and for exports to some West African markets.
State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa disclosed this when he paid a visit to the NCRI, Badeggi at the outskirts of Bida.
State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Tsado Vatsa disclosed this when he paid a visit to the NCRI, Badeggi at the outskirts of Bida.
Vatsa said the state must explore ways to gain from the the food research institute located in the state for the benefits of it’s farming population by getting them access to improved, hybrid seeds and seedlings for food and cash crops to increase farmers’ annual food production.
Vatsa said “we have so much to gain from this institute and we are willing to partner with NCRI, Bedeggi to avail ourselves of the window opened by the institute so that our farmers can benefit by producing the best crops especially with the technology for hybridization of varieties of seedlings here”.
The Commissioner contended that hunger and poverty would in no distant future be a thing of the past as farmers in the state leverage on the research outputs from the institute.
Vatsa said “we have so much to gain from this institute and we are willing to partner with NCRI, Bedeggi to avail ourselves of the window opened by the institute so that our farmers can benefit by producing the best crops especially with the technology for hybridization of varieties of seedlings here”.
The Commissioner contended that hunger and poverty would in no distant future be a thing of the past as farmers in the state leverage on the research outputs from the institute.
“As we go into partnership with NCRI, they will get us improved seeds of different species of rice, soya beans, sugar cane and other cereals”.
Expectedly, from the collaborative efforts, our farmers would be able to produce more food for both local markets to feed the country and for export to sister, neighbouring West African countries” he said.
The Commissioner told the Acting Director of the NCRI that Niger state was blessed with the human resources, arable farmlands and good climatic temperature that supports the production of varieties of food crops.
The Commissioner told the Acting Director of the NCRI that Niger state was blessed with the human resources, arable farmlands and good climatic temperature that supports the production of varieties of food crops.
He said with a good relationship between the two, (the state and the institute) Niger state would a big hub of varieties of food and cash crops for local markets, for industries and for export markets as well.
The Commissioner said the state government is committed to improving the lots of farmers in the state by providing the necessary farm inputs, irrigation gears and facilities for dry farming season and for rain fed agricultural practices.
The Commissioner said the state government is committed to improving the lots of farmers in the state by providing the necessary farm inputs, irrigation gears and facilities for dry farming season and for rain fed agricultural practices.
He said machineries were on ground for all year round farming and food production to guarantee food availability for the population and at cheap and affordable cost.
While receiving the vising Commissioner, the Acting Executive Director, NCRI, Dr Samuel Agboire had earlier enjoined Niger state government to take advantage of it’s huge expanse of arable land across the state for irrigation farming.
The Acting Executive Director said there were bounteous economic benefits in irrigation fed farming than the usually fewer months of rain fed agriculture. He said Niger state could become a leading food basket for the country if it’s endowment were fully utilized.8
He told the Commissioner that if the state wants to maintain its lead as the number rice producer in the country, “irrigation facilities must be put in place”.
“If Niger state wants to be number one in rice production, the institute has 70 different rice varieties which have tremendous benefits to farmers.
While expressing optimism for the planned partnership between the state and the institute, Dr Samuel enjoined the state to cash in on the existence of the NCRI in the state to improve the economy of the state.
