Agriculture
NASARAWA State Government has begun the harvest of its 10,000 hectare rice farm to boost food security in the state.
Gov Abdullahi Sule, who visited the farm at Jangwa, Awe Local Government Area of the state to monitor the harvest on Thursday, said that 2,000 hectres was cultivated as a pilot phase of the project six months ago.
According to the governor, the state will harvest rice from the farm twice a year due to the improved variety planted.
Sule explained that the 10,000 hectares rice farm project was in line with the Renewed Hope Food Initiative of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at ensuring food security in the country.
He appreciated the people of the state, especially Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme and Jangwa community for their cooperation and support and called for its sustenance.
“The project is an inclusive one as it has carried along both the youths and women in the planting and harvesting of the rice. A lot of indigenes have been employed through the project.
“As part of efforts to ease transportation of the farm produce in the area, we have awarded contract for the construction of 18 kilometers asphalt road from Rabi to Jangwa community,” he said.
Sule said the state government would compensate the community members for 300 hectares already occupied in the area for other activities out of the 10,000 hectares.
The governor said Nasarawa state known for solid minerals and agriculture, decided to take the lead through the project to show the commitment in agriculture geared towards achieving food security.
“What we are doing here is to motivate others to venture into agriculture so that we can collectively boost food production and end hunger in our state,” he said.
In a separate interviews, Zaki-Justin Shaku and a youth leader in the community , Mr Yusuf Jangwa, both lauded the state government for the initiative.
They said that the project has so far benefitted both youths and women and called for more of such initiatives to improve the standard of living of the people in the state.(NAN)
A.I
Oct. 24, 2024
Tags: Gov Abdullahi Sule
