By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Kebbi State Government says it has finalised process to supply petrol free to farmers engaged in irrigation farming to lessen the burden of production cost and help them to increase yields.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Shehu Mu’azu, disclosed this at the weekly Ministerial Media Briefing organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture, in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, February 4, 2024.

He said the state government has also evolved a Special Programme for Ramadan Feeding under which foodstuffs and grains would be distributed free to the people.

According to the commissioner, the gesture was in the spirit of compassion and benevolence of the Governor within the context of the welfarist policy of incumbent administration.

“The state government has finalised process to supply petrol free to farmers engaged in irrigation farming to lessen the burden of production cost and help them to increase yields.

“Governor Nasir Idris has launched the Kaura Agricultural Development and Growth Agenda (KADAGE), aimed at improving the production of food and cash crops with emphasis on rice cultivation to strengthen the leading position of Kebbi State as the rice hub of Nigeria.

He informed journalists that the administration has paid counterpart fund to the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programme, RAAMP, of N350millio.

“Under the scheme, 240 kilometres of road have been identified for improvement, upgrading and routine maintenance to provide access to farmers to transport farm produce to various destinations.

“In addition, thirty thousand farmers in Kebbi State are participating in dry season irrigation farming of the Federal Government in rice production, seven thousand, five hundred farmers in maize production while two thousand farmers are taking part in cassava cultivation”, he stated.

The Commissioner added that the state government would also construct two Agro logistics hub in Argungu Town and in Mahuta, Fakai Local Government.

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