As part of its plans to bolster rice production in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is supporting the cultivation of 2000 hectares of farms in Borno, to produce improved variety seedlings and accelerate the production of paddy rice.

The apex bank, under its Anchor Borrowers Program disclosed that the seeds nurseries were established at Dusuman and Zabalmari villages in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.

Revealing this to newsmen during a field inspection of the seeds nursery in Konduga, Head of Development Finance Office of the CBN Maiduguri, Mahmood Nyako, said that the inspection of the seed nursery commenced with farmers, anchor clients and extension personnel accredited by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

In his words, “The extension experts advised us to commence distribution of the seedlings for transplanting by next week in order to achieve higher yields at harvest. They also sensitized farmers on tillage, spacing, proper application of chemicals and other farming skills.” He said.

Speaking further, he noted that the apex bank had distributed fertilisers, seeds and chemicals to farmers through the designated anchor clients, to improve paddy rice, maize, cotton and sorghum production in the state.

On his part, Manager of Kalef Venture, Alhaji Abba Kale, who is also an anchor consultant, said that the seedlings would be distributed to 5,000 registered farmers in Konduga and Jere Local Government Areas of the state.

He also explained that the company provided technical services to the anchor clients who shared inputs and money for farm labour activities to the benefiting farmers. “We set up modern mill in the community to mop up grain produced by farmers, process and package it for local consumption and export.”

SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA