As part of efforts to increase rice production in Ekiti State, Federal Government has empowered hundreds of rice farmers across the sixteen local government areas.
The empowerment which was supervised by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and an Insurance company took place in Igbemo Ekiti where the farmers went home with herbicides, knapsacks, sprayers and fertilizers among other incentives.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the state Chairman, Rice farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN, Mr Kolawole Rotimi explained that the input given to the farmers were not free but a loan, and charged them to use the input for the purpose meant for.
Mr kolawole appreciated Ekiti State Government for opening more land for farmers in the state, saying that such would encourage youths to venture into farming especially rice cultivation.
The executive members of RIFAN in Ekiti State had earlier paid a courtesy visit to Chief Onisara of Igbemo Ekiti where he commended the farmers for bringing back the glory of rice farming to Igbemo Ekiti.
Chief Onisara noted that the first rice mill in the southwest was established in igbemo Ekiti in the 70’s.
One of the farmers, Mr Lanre Solaja, who thanked the Federal Government for the assistance, submitted that they were ready for mass cultivation of rice to ensure food security in Ekiti.
Niyi Aderibigbe
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