A non Governmental Organization (NGO), the Competitive African Rice Initiative (CARI) has urged the people of Amasiri-Owutu Edda in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State to protect the facilities and other farm inputs the organization would provide for the people to ensure food sufficiency in the country.
The Representative of the John Kuffour foundation, Mr. Jeo Sagoe said that the organization was in the state to established a rice ‘supermarket’ along the Amasiri—Owutu Edda in Afikpo North Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Mr Sagoe said that the John Kuffor foundation promotes the programme adding that the supermarket would provide farm seedlings, agro-chemicals and farm machineries to rural farmers.
“This initiative would be extended to other parts of the state where there is land mass for rice farming presently and in the future and I urge the farmers to access the products.
He noted that CARI targets over 90, 000 farmers to be engaged in inclusive business models, to increase yields from an average of 1.5 metric tones per hectare to six metric tones.
“The intervention is aimed at reducing importation and increased exportation of rice paddy while expanding sustainable business models to encourage the integration of small-scale rice producers.
He noted that CARI’s technical and financial assistance, rely on the value chain approach with support of its founders to promote high quality and high production of rice.
An Official of the Nigerian Tractors Owners and Hiring-Facilities Association, Musa Sumaila, noted that Ebonyi rice farmers might not meet up with consumers’ demands if mechanized farming is not
increased.
“With increase in the population of the state, food needs to be increasingly made available to its people and we would soon deploy tractors to the state depending though the demands of the farmers.
A representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Ebonyi state, Mr Amadi Agwu commended the CARI team for including the Ebonyi among the benefiting states in the country.
“It should be noted that Ebonyi state farmers are hardworking and resourceful and the establishment of this supermarket by CARI would ensure improved harvest.
He therefore appealed to the farmers to adequately secure the input and equipment, pledging that the ministry would compliment CARI’s initiative by providing certified agro inputs. Ends
