Niger Government Lauds Council For Farm Inputs Distribution 

The Niger State Government has lauded the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) for distributing free farm inputs to farmers in the state.
The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Idris Gbogan gave the commendation on Monday in Minna during the distribution process of plantain and banana suckers provided to farmers the council.
Boost production

Gbogan who was represented by the Director Agriculture Services in the ministry, Alhaji Adamu Garba said that the measure would boost the production of raw materials for local industries in the state and the country at large.
“We thank the RMRDC for providing 2,000 free plantain and banana suckers to the ministry and our farmers in Niger state.
“We will ensure that our extension staff go out to help them to achieve the required yield,” he said.
The permanent secretary advised the beneficiaries to liaise with the ministry to provide them with extension workers to cultivate the suckers.
He explained that the suckers require loamy/clay soil and enough water for cultivation.
“It requires a spacing of about 2.0/1.8 metres for planting, yo2u can plant about 1,500 to 2,000 suckers per hectare of land,” he said.
The state Coordinator, RMRDC, Mr John Amadu explained that Garkuwa Farms would get 300 plantain and 300 banana suckers while the ministry would receive 100 plantain and 100 banana suckers.
Amadu said that the balance of 1,200 suckers would go to other farmers across the 25 Local Government Areas in the state, adding that the farmers should utilise the inputs properly for maximum results.
Also speaking, the Manager of Garkuwa Farms, Alhaji Dantani Bala, appreciated the council for the support and promised to put the inputs to good use.

NAN/Lateefah Ibrahim