Rice Farmers Urged to Partner Relevant Agencies to Boost Yield in Nasarawa state
By Members Madaki
Rice farmers in Nasarawa State have been urged to ensure effective collaboration with research institutes, government agencies, academia among other relevant partners to boost rice farming.
Head of Agronomy Department, Federal University of Lafia, Dr Abdullahi Jaji Ibrahim gave the urge at the Farmers Field Day held in Lafia.
Describing Nasarawa State as the epicenter of rice production in Nigeria, Dr. Ibrahim said the farmers’ field day is aimed at showcasing some of the new rice varieties for better yield.
Acting Programme Manager, Nasarawa Agricultural Development Agency, NADP, Umar Jibrin Nuhu pledged the agency’s commitment to ensuring that improved varieties of crops especially rice, gets to farmers in good time for effective food production, income generation and as a means of revenue base for the state and country at large.
On his part, Representative of National Cereals Research Institute, Badegi, Niger State, Dr Abolore Adijat Ajadi said they were in the state to facilitate release of the demo of their new Ds 15 and Ds 18 rice varieties and also popularize Gawa-R1, Farrow-44 and their yield potentials
Spokesperson of Nasarawa State Innovation Platform, Joshua Jonathan and that of rice farmers in the state, Mr Bulus Lokoja expressed delight noting that farmers now have choices to make among improved varieties of rice to maximize their yield.
They thanked stakeholders in the rice value chain for bringing the initiatives to farmers adding that it will enhance agricultural practices and more profitable rice production.
Organized by the National Ceareals, Research Institute Badegi in collaboration with Institute of Crop Science and support of NADP among others, the Farmers Field Day with the theme: Enhancing farmers productivity and livelihood through on-farmer Training and community based seed system climaxed with a tour of the D-15, Ds-18, Gawa R1 and Farrow 44 rice demostration farm, question and answer sessions.
