The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has assured Nigerians that they will not experience any scarcity of rice following the destruction of rice farms due to flooding in rice farming communities within Kebbi and Sokoto States.
The president of the association, Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, stated this during his on-the-spot assessment visit to the two states alongside Central Bank officials and state chairmen from the North West, noting that more than 1 million farmers would be mobilized to engage in the next dry season’s farming.
The team visited the Jega and Argungu Local Government Areas in Kebbi State and also paid a visit to the emir of Argungu, Samaila Mohammed Mera, who lost more than 100 hectares, comprised of a rice farm and fish pond, to flooding in the area.
Rice Processor Encourages Investment in Food Production
A representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Benedict, assured that farmers operating under the bank’s Anchor Borrowers’ Program would be given the opportunity to get back on their feet despite the setback.
“There is insurance premium that has been paid for every farmer that participated in the Anchor Borrowers’ Program so that will help recoup whatever losses, and also with the planting that will take place as soon the water reseed the farmers will be able to come back to the business.”
Cross River Battles to Sell, Evacuate Mature Rice Seedlings
“The CBN governor had directed RIFAN to mobilise one million farmers that can quickly produce five million metric tonnes during the dry farming season commencing in November 2020, for support,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muhammadu Sahabi Augie, RIFAN chairman for, Kebbi State, lamented that what has been lost to the flood cannot be quantified at the moment, though in naira it reaches into the billions.
