By Sidi A. Umar
Sokoto
Sokoto state government will in collaboration with the federal government and African Development Bank (AfDB) spend N4 billion to boost rice
farming and processing activities in the state, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has disclosed.
The governor, who disclosed this while flagging-off this year’s sale of fertilisers, said his administration would collaborate with big-time rice processing and milling companies to boost rice production for export and consumption.
He said: “ The state government in collaboration with the federal government and African Development Bank ADB is undertaking the reclamation of farms at Kware Dam agricultural transformation agenda phase one and the project is to cost the sum of N4 billion.
“Under the programme, a number of nine bore holes are to be sunk, 17.5 km of water canals, 53 kilo meter roads, in addition to the construction of village markets.”
“Government has procured about 9, 000 tonnes of assorted fertilisers which comprise NPK and Urea at the cost of N1.2 billion for distribution to farmers for this year’s farming.”
According to him, the NPK would be sold at N1,700.00, while Urea is to cost N1,800.00 adding that state and local governments are to settle the subsidies of 10 percent while local government is to settle 30 percent.
He said this year’s supply had doubled the amount given last year and urged the people, especially the youth, to avail themselves of those opportunities and embrace farming.
