Rice Farmers Seek Investment in Irrigation Agriculture to Boost Local Production
To boost local production of rice in 2022, the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has called on the government to revive the country’s river basins and deploy more investment in climate change mitigation and irrigation agriculture.
The call was made by the RIFAN National Deputy-President, Segun Atho, during an interview in Lagos.
According to Atho, investment in climate change and weather forecast will help farmers understand the rain patterns, and aid them in the cultivation process.
He said, “I hope the year will be favourable for local rice farmers this year. We hope the rain patterns will also be favourable to farmers across the country.”
“We want the government to help farmers intensify weather forecast to aid cultivation this year. Inconsistencies and lack of understanding of weather forecasts sometimes frustrate the efforts of the farmers.”
“Inconsistencies and lack of understanding of weather forecast sometimes frustrate the efforts of the farmers. This year, we want the government to invest in climate change mitigation efforts and assist farmers to follow rain patterns.”
Also, he called for the inclusion of more farmers in the Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme and for more river basins to be opened across the country, stressing the need for the provision of irrigation incentives for local farmers to aid cultivation during the dry season.
“We also call on the government to intensify efforts to revive our river basins across the country. The Federal Ministry of Water Resources should assist farmers in the provision of irrigation incentives in cases of drought.”
“All river basins authorized areas should be given more land space to provide better irrigation for farmers across the country. We also ask that rice farmers and other farmers that have not been included in the Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme should be brought on board.”
“The rice industry has done well recently and hopes to do more. It is just that Nigerians do not appreciate local produce on time. This year I believe rice farmers are going to be more proactive because we have a lot to achieve,” Atho added.
Agro Nigeria
