ibironkeeniola 
Kebbi State has revealed that it lost over N1 billion worth of rice and other farm produce to ravaging flood which affected different farming communities in the state.
The State’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Attahiru Maccido made the disclosure on Sunday, during an inspection visit to flood-affected areas in Bagudo and Argungu Local Government Areas of the state.
Maccido said the flood also destroyed personal belongings of residents and other valuables.
He, however, called on the Federal Government to construct a dam in the state. This, he said, will ensure that excess water is being stored rightly and used for other purposes.
“In Bagudo LGA, we visited about 19 villages affected by the flood, and in Argungu many communities were affected.
“We call on the Federal Government to construct a reservoir. I think among the states that are into farming, Kebbi is the only state that does not have a dam of its own.
“We need large reservoirs to reserve the rainwater so that it can be used for other activities.
“Preliminary assessment showed that damage to rice plantations and other products due to the flood could be over billions of Naira.
“Compensation is a solution in a way, but we are looking for more durable solutions to the devastating flood.
“The visit is to assess the damage and how we can get an immediate remedy for those who lost their livelihoods,” Maccido added.
He, however, noted that the Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will distribute food and other palliatives to the affected farmers and households to mitigate their sufferings.
He called on wealthy individuals and agricultural firms to extend their support to the affected farmers.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Bagudo LGA, Muhammadu Kaura and Ward Head of Tuga, Abubakar Muhammad, decried the impact of the flood on their communities.
Muhammad lamented that the damage caused by the flood would negatively affect rice production in the state.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA