The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Sokoto State chapter, on Tuesday canvassed for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari on Feb. 16, for continuity of viable agricultural policies.
Alhaji Ibrahim Salihu, the Chairman, RIFAN, Sokoto State, made the call at the official inauguration of 2019 CBN/RIFAN Dry Season inputs distribution to 50, 000 rice farmers in Sokoto.
Salihu said that the agricultural policies had improved the lives of small holder farmers in the state.
He said that small holder farmers in the state had been properly supported like never before in the history of farming in Nigeria.
“In recognition of the supports and encouragement, we decided to endorse President Buhari for re-election, and we urge Nigerians to re-elect him based on his good antecedents to Nigerians,” the association chairman said.
He noted that the distribution of 2019 dry season farming inputs had started in eight designated centres covering all the 23 local government areas of the state.
Salihu said that no fewer than 100, 000 farmers were listed in this dry season farming.
He noted the difficulties experienced in the collection of the Bank Verification Number (BVN), saying that only 50, 000 of the members were able to fulfil the requirements for the inputs.
According to him, each benefiting farmer will collect inputs valued at N177, 000
He said that at the moment, payment was being made for paddy rice as farmers were to do biometric data capturing, digital identity card containing farmers’ information, farm size and other relevant information.
Representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Unity Bank, Malam Faruk Abdullahi and Samuel Amana, presented modalities of disbursements and other arrangement required.
Alhaji Abubakar Tambari, RIFAN Secretary, Sokoto State, said that inputs suppliers and service providers were also involved in educating the farmers on the right quality and quantity of inputs to be applied on their farms.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before collection of inputs, farmers underwent identification and screenings to be able to receive water pumping machine and accessories, sprayer and accessories, bags of organic and mordern fertiliser.
Other inputs are litres of herbicide, liquid fertiliser and bags of improved rice seeds. NAN
