Experts dwell on rice production

IN an efforts at boosting rice production in Nigeria a workshop on Business to Business on contract farming that will enhance stronger synergy was held in Makurdi, Benue state capital.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop held at MT Square hotel along Geroge Akume road Makurdi, Chairman, Rice Value Chain Steering Group for North-Central Zone of Nigeria and Programmes Manager, Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority,(BNARDA),Mr James Ker, said the workshop would also provide food security and create job opportunities in the rice value chain.

He explained that rice is one of the commercial cereal crops that its importance cannot be over emphasized and believed that smallholders rice farmers, encapsulated in the training will have easy access to farm inputs and other supports through the processors.

Ker noted that Benue and Cross River states have diverse potentials for rice production and processing, which he said calls for a stronger synergy between the actors to achieve their desired motives.

Facilitator of the programme and Advisor on Agricultural Value Chain for Green Innovation Centers for the Agriculture and Food Sector in Nigeria, Mr Terna Yankyaa, explained that the workshop was situated in the intervention approach by the German Government through the Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), targeted at combating “One World, No Hunger Initiative”.

He also stated that the participants which comprises of the Producers and Processors of rice produce and Financial institutions across the country will benefit from the workshop giving that the German Government is conscious of the growing population in the world and its attendant down fall, hence the need to forestore the looming danger of  sustainability of the human race.

“One of the ways is through Global Programme Green Innovation Centre for Agriculture and Food Sector, (GIAE) in about 13 countries of the world including Nigeria.”

“We are privilege to be working on rice in Benue, Nassarawa and other parts of Cross River. The project is also working on Cassava and potatoes in other parts of the country”.

Also speaking, International Consultant on Rice Value Chain and CEO of DIBEST CONSULT LIMITED based in Ghana, Mr Chani Otuteye, disclosed that one way of helping the producers and processors of rice farming is through viability, visibility and sustainability in the agricultural sector as well as Contract Farming Scheme.

Two participants who spoke on the importance of the workshop were the Chairman of Lobi Farms in Benue State and three time member of the House of Representatives at the National Assembly, Mr Terngu Tsegba and Sales Manager of Agric Division, Dizengoff Nigeria limited from Enugu state, Mr Emmanuel Chukwuemeka respectively applauded the organiser for the initiative and expressed believe that the workshop will go a long way in enhancing rice production in all their respective sectors.

The workshop was organized by Global Programme Green Innovation Center for Agriculture and Food Sector, (GIAE) with staffers from MIKAP Nig. Ltd in Benue State and GODILOGO Farm Ltd in Cross River State in attendance.