Flood: FG makes interventions for 450,000 hectares of rice farmlands
By Nneka Nwogwugwu, Abuja
The Federal government has assured on the speedy intervention of over 450,000 hectares of rice farmlands and other crops destroyed by flood in Kebbi State.
The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo
Nanono, said while visiting the scenes of the floods in Argungu on Saturday,
September 12, that the FG will ensure that the farmers get improved seeds to
restart planting as soon as the rains recede.
Nanono who was in company of the Governor of Kebbi State ,
Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said it was one of the worst disasters witnessed in
recent times and said his visit was to restore hope and build up confidence for
the farmers in the state.
In a statement signed by the Ministry’s Deputy Director of
Information, Eno Olotu, Nanono said,
“What I have seen here today is very devastating, my coming here is at the
instance of President Muhammadu Buhari who has sent me to commiserate with the
people of Kebbi state over the flood and to give you hope and assurance that
the government is concerned about your plight and will do something.”
Nanono who was in company of the Governor of Kebbi State ,
Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said it was one of the worst disasters witnessed in
recent times and said his visit was to restore hope and build up confidence for
the farmers in the state.
He appealed to the farmers not to despair adding that the FG
will address the situation.
READ ALSO: Flood: FG makes interventions for 450,000 hectares of rice farmlands
He acknowledged that Kebbi State is one of the major
producers of Rice in the country as well as
other crops such as maize,
groundnuts, wheat, sweet potatoes, sorghum and millet, stating that a loss to Kebbi will affect other states of
the federation.
Nanono said the ministry will immediately set up a special
committee to mitigate the situation and ensure that the dry season farming will
be boosted. He said the ministry will also encourage the farmers to explore the
innovative early harvesting of their produce as is done with other crops and
promised to assist them with improved seeds.
In his remarks, Gov Bagudu lamented the massive loss to the
farmers, explaining that it is not only the rice farms that are affected but
also animal crops and fishing grounds as well as human lives were affected.
He said the latest flooding in the state is the worst after
the 2012 experience and has affected
over 450, 000 hectares of land stretching over 270km of farmlands.
Hundreds of villages are said to be affected and many
homelands washed away by the floods.
The minister also paid visits to the Sarki – Kebbi Argungu,
Alhaji Samaila Mohammed Mera, the Emir of Gwandu who is also Chairman, Kebbi
State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ilyasu
Bashar and the Natsimi Gada of Argungu.
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