The commitment to ensure Rice sufficiency in the country by 2015 and by the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has been described as total.
The feat which will be achieved in two season production in a given year will ensure the stoppage to importation of the product by 2015.
The disclosure was made by the Minister for State Agricultural and Rural Development, Dr. Bukar Tijani, while flagging off the ceremony for the distribution of PADDY Rice to farmers in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Dr. Bukar who commended Kogi State Government for its commitment to pursuing the rice value chain in the transformation agenda of the present administration in the country described Kogi as a state with comparative advantage in rice production.
The Minister explained that Kogi is among the ten states listed for the programme aimed at increasing rice production in the nation, added that the State is also part of the states to benefit from the flood recovery scheme, dry season farming programme of the Federal Government as well as receive rice mills to add a value chain to rice production.
Towards ensuring that the PADDY Rice and fertilizers get to the farmers, each farmer, the Minister explained will get three bags of rice seedlings and a bag of fertilizer free from the Federal Government.
In his speech, Capt. Idris Wada, who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, commended the Federal Government support in making the State attain its potentials in the area of rice production.
The State Government Capt. Idris Wada, explained aside providing seeds and fertilizers to the farmers who were badly affected by the recent flood, will ascertain the value of land, engage in land clearing system, as well as the issuance of certificate of occupancy to deserving land owners to encourage the growth of rice and cassava in the State.
He equally added that communities who forfeit their land for farming activities will enjoy continues compensation from the State Government throughout the period the farming will last.
