CBN, Katsina to boost rice production in Nigeria

Katsina State Government has keyed into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) to boost local rice production in Nigeria.

Highlighting the state’s plan to tackle challenges currently facing the agricultural sector, the state governor, Aminu Bello, said that there was the need for adequate food security for the ever increasing population remained ideas capable of generating new thinking, attitudinal change and empirical measures reflecting the essence of change.

Speaking at the launch of the programme at Jibia, Bello unfolded his restoration agenda for the sector and how his administration would actualise this dream on fresh rice for the people of the state and Nigerians.

As part of the strategies to bolster irrigation activities at the Jibia irrigation site for the farmers in the ABP on rice production, Masari said the state government shouldered the operational and maintenance costs in the interest of its people who are the major beneficiaries of the project.

“This year (2016) alone, over N58m was expended for the repairs and maintenance of generators, water pumps and provision of diesel for irrigation purposes,” he said.

He also promised farmers in and outside of the project in the state that rehabilitation works in seven irrigation schemes of Kwanar Are, Yartsaku,  Makera, Ruwan Sanyi, Daberan, Sankaya and Bakori were nearing completion.