BEVERLY HILLS, October 26, (THEWILL) – Anambra state has surpassed its target of achieving self-sufficiency in rice production, according to the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Afam Mbanefo.
Speaking at a Commodity Alliance Forum/Consultative meeting organised by the state Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP, in Awka, Mbanefo recalled that the state government had earlier targeted 210, 000 metric tonnes of rice production per annum.
He went on to state that “based on the calculation of our expected yields, we are expecting to realise over 236, 000 metric tonnes of rice in 2016 based on the production capacity”.
The Commissioner explained that the calculation was based on all the expected yields of 35 per cent of over 14, 300 farmers and the activities of programmes like the VCDP and FADAMA.
He stated that the expected yield also included the activities of rice investors in the state including Coscharis farms, Joseph Agro and others.
Mbanefo said the state government was passionate about revolutionising the agriculture and making it a wealth creation, especially for unemployed youths who were willing to venture into the sector.
The Commissioner disclosed that the state government ensured a linkage between farmers and off-takers, even as he called on farmers, who were yet to form cooperatives, to do so in their own interest.
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