The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has on Thursday distributed about 17 tonnes of improved seedlings to different farmers associations in Kano state.
The agency also disburses over 7,000 suckers of other seedlings with the aim of boosting local production of agricultural raw materials in the state.
According to the RMRDC Director General, Professor H.D. Ibrahim, the council has been extending the gesture every year since 1991.
Ibrahim, who was represented by the RMRDC State Coordinator in Kano, Hambali Muhammad, said, “The items distributed today in Kano include 5 tonnes of maize, 2 tonnes of rice, 2 tonnes of sesame, 1 tonne of groundnut, 3 tonnes of cowpea, 2 tonnes of soybeans and 2 tonnes of sorghum.
“Others include 1,000 seedlings of garcinia kola, 2,000 suckers of banana/plantain, 2,000 suckers of seedlings of jumbo cashew and 2,000 seedlings of cocoa to their respective farmers’ associations and some state government for this year’s farming season,” the DG added.
He also said that in 2021 alone, the council has distributed 28.115 tonnes of seeds, 3,000 seedlings and 2,000 suckers of improved crop varieties to various state governments and out-grower associations of farmers across Nigeria.
The DG expressed optimism that the intervention will boost local production of agricultural raw materials for the benefit of pharmaceutical, food and confectioneries and livestock feed industry, which will help conserve foreign exchange and create more jobs.
The seedlings were presented to representatives of associations of maize and sesame farmers in the state.
Responding, on behalf of the beneficiaries, the chairmen of the two associations promised to use the items judiciously.
