NAN-AE-3
Farmers
By Christian Ogbonna
Yenagoa, Jan. 20, 2017 (NAN) The Bayelsa Chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) says that no fewer than 7,000 farmers in the state will partake in the launch of the 2017 rice planting season.
Mr Ezeikel Ogbianko, State Chairman of RIFAN, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa on Friday that the farmers, who were organised into cooperatives, were from eight local government areas of the state.
He said that the launch was in line with the Federal Government’s campaign aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in rice production across the country.
“It is also in line with the plans of the Bayelsa chapter of RIFAN to boost local rice cultivation in the state. Right now, we have 7,000 farmers who are ready to participate in the launch of the rice planting season in the state.
“Let me inform you that we have acquired a total of 40,000 hectares of land and we have secured the legal rights over the farmlands, which are located in several communities across the state.
“The communities include Okpotuwari, Orubiri, Olodani, Ayamasa, Ofoni, Okordia, Toluebini and Amassoma.
“I am, therefore, calling for support from all stakeholders to ensure that this year’s rice planting is successful.
“RIFAN in Bayelsa is working hard to go into full mechanised farming; there are lands here and most of the lands are virgin lands; they also need no irrigation for rice cultivation.
“I must tell you that lands in Bayelsa are already wet and fertile. The lands are also very suitable for rice cultivation but we can cultivate and harvest any crop there at any season,” he said.
Ogbianko said that the association was aware of the challenges facing the project and was ready to tackle them, adding that the challenges included the difficult terrain and the lack of access roads in some of the communities.
“We also have an off-taker from Delta State, who will be in charge during rice cultivation and processing (milling), so as to ensure that we are able to have made-in-Bayelsa rice before the end of the year.
“My advice to farmers and government at all levels is to separate politics from agribusiness; to be frank, there is a cabal in the agriculture sector that is a hindrance to the government’s rice production campaign.
“All the same, agriculture remains a major tool in our efforts to diversify our economy,’’ Ogbianko said. (NAN)
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