Politics
THE International Food and Agricultural Development (IFAD) has commended Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba for taking the state into the league of leading rice producers in Nigeria.
Hajiya Fatima Muktari-Buhari, the organisation’s Market Development Adviser in Nigeria gave the commendation during a courtesy call on Gov. Ishaku in Jalingo on Tuesday.
Fatima, who is the daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, said that at a production level of 80,000 metric tonnes of rice per annum, Taraba had become a pride of the nation and the international community.
She also acknowledged the state’s annual contribution of 21,000 tonnes of cassava to the national domestic market.
“The contribution is worth $33 million.
“The credit for these achievements must go to Gov Ishaku for his vision and commitment to food production in the state,’’ she said.
The IFAD official noted that under Ishaku, Taraba pays its counterpart funds promptly.
“By providing an enhanced and enabling environment, rice production per hectare jumped to 4.9 metric tonnes or 80 bags.
“This is a huge achievement for the state.’’
Responding, Gov. Ishaku thanked Hajiya Fatima for the visit and reiterated the commitment of his administration to empowering the more rural dwellers through agriculture.
He said that Taraba alone could produce all the rice needed to feed Nigerians and called for the continued support of the Federal Government.
He described Taraba as a ‘Cassava Kingdom’ and promised to continue to encourage more farmers to take the state to higher levels in food production.
The governor also spoke about other special endowments in the state, which needed to be harnessed for the benefit of Nigerians.
Ishaku explained that these include tea and coffee production.
He called for the Federal Government’s intervention in the state’s request for a loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to buy hand tractors for farmers in the state.
NAN
– Mar. 23, 2021 @ 18:55 GMT
Tags: IFAD commends Gov. Ishaku’s achievements in food production
