Anambra hits 210, 000mt target in rice production – Commissioner

Awka – The Commissioner for Agriculture in Anambra, Mr
Afam Mbanefo, said on Monday that the state has reached its
target of achieving self-sufficiency in rice production.

Mbanefo made the disclosure at a Commodity Alliance
Forum/Consultative meeting organised by the state Value
Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Awka.

The commissioner recalled that the state government had
earlier targeted 210, 000 metric tonnes of rice production per
annum.

“Based on the calculation of our expected yields, we are
expecting to realise over 236, 000 metric tonnes of rice in
2016 based on the production capacity.’’

Mbanefo said the calculation was based on all the expected
yields of 35 per cent of over 14, 300 farmers and the activities
of programmes like the VCDP and FADAMA.

He said the expected yield also included the activities of rice
investors in the state including Coscharis farms, Joseph Agro
and others.

Mbanefo said the state government was passionate about
revolutionising the agriculture and making it a wealth
creation, especially for unemployed youths who were willing
to venture into the sector.

The commissioner, who said the state government ensured a
linkage between farmers and off-takers, advised farmers who
were yet to form cooperatives to do so in their own interest.

Earlier, the National Programme Coordinator for VCDP, Mr
Ameh Onoja, said the aim of the programme was to assist the
Federal Government to reduce spending on the importation of
rice.

According to him, the overall goal is to ensure that rural
poverty is reduced and to ensure accelerated economic
growth is achieved on a sustainable and inclusive basis.

Onoja, who was represented by Mr Basil Esinulo, said the
project was developed to address some major constraints
militating against agricultural development such as the poor
organisation of farmers, processors and marketing.

Other constraints, he said, included lack of rural
infrastructure particularly rural roads, water supply and
market as well as poor access to production and others.

According to him, tremendous boost in rice production will be
achieved to increase incomes and food security in the
country.

The Acting State Programme Coordinator for VCDP, Mr
Bonaventure Mochebe, said the forum was organised to
deliberate on issues that affected farmers and to seek ways
to address the challenges.

He said that the forum will link farmers with financial
institutions, off-takers, Civil Society Organisations and other
stakeholders in the rice business.

Mochebe urged government to rescue farmers whose three
hectares of rice farm land were destroyed by the Fulani
herdsmen.

He said on the sideline of the programme that Fulani
herdsmen’s cattle had destroyed over three hectares of rice
farm land.

The forum also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU), by the farmers, agro dealers and off-
takers to strengthen their partnership and capacity of
production.

Culled-vanguard