Closure of land borders will improve economy ― RIFAN

The Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Kebbi State, Alhaji Muhammad Augie, has said the closure of Nigeria’s land borders will help to improve the country’s economy.

Augie made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

He said that closure of land borders was one of the ways to improve the country’s economy and encourage farmers to be more productive.

“Nigerian farmers can feed the country and some neighbouring countries in Africa if priority is given to agricultural development.’’

He called on the three tiers of government to intensify efforts at introducing policies and programmes that would motivate farmers in the country.

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”To this end, about 7000 rice farmers benefited from association’s soft loan in Kebbi State,” he said.

The chairman stressed the need for farmers to repay their loans to allow others to also benefit.

He said that if teeming youths were empowered to be involved in farming, it would create job opportunities for them.

The RIFAN chairman advised farmers to manage their farms produce diligently to achieved desired objectives of making a profit and developing the economy. (NAN)