NAN-ND-8
Rice
By Nefishetu Yakubu
Benin, Nov.6, 2016 (NAN) Mr Wellington Omoragbon, Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Edo Operations, said 7,500 rice farmers in the state would benefit from 2016 Federal Government-assisted dry season farming.
Omoragbon who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin, said that the season would run between November and January, 2017.
He said that the initiative was to ensure self-sufficiency in rice production in the country.
He said that Edo North Senatorial District had been selected for the dry season rice farming scheme, adding that the 7,500 farmers were selected among registered farmers in the senatorial district.
According to him, each of the farmers is expected to cultivate one hectare of rice, amounting to 7500 hectares.
Omoragbon said that farm inputs such rice seeds and fertilizers would be distributed to the farmers at 50 per cent subsidised rate.
He explained that each farmer would get three bags of fertilizer and one 25-kilogramme bag of rice seeds for planting.
“In addition, 50 kilogramme of organic manure and one litre of inorganic manure will be provided for each of the farmers,” he said.
The director said that the ministry had a plan to establish a modern fish market in the state. (NAN)
NY/EMO/OPI
Edited by Ejike Obeta and Olisa Ifeajika