By Muhammad Aliyu
Dutse
Jigawa state government said it has procured enough various improved seeds for farmers in the state in view of the prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological agency (NIMET) that the country may witness drought this year.
The managing director of the state’s Agricultural and Rural development Authority [JARDA], Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Aliyu, dropped the hint yesterday during a news conference in Dutse.
He said he has the mandate to prepare for the 2014 farming season, and the state government has directed them to procure drought resistance seeds with a view to dare the consequence of drought.
The procured improved seedlings include variety seeds of millet, beans, maize, guinea corn and rice, which were mature and ripe for harvest within a short period. He affirmed that the crops were tested by the reputable and reliable agricultural research institutes in the country.
Alhaji Ibrahim explained that the sum of N8 million has been earmarked for the training, re-training of senior, middle level and junior agricultural extension workers of the procurement of the seeds, fertilizer, and chemicals who will in turn training farmers on how to use the facilities.
The managing director disclosed that during the 2012 flood disaster which affected many parts of the state, his authority distributed improved variety seed of millet, maize, guinea corn which catered for 1,500 hectares of farm lands plus seed of beans and rice which was planted in over 2 000 hectares of lands which yielded positive results.