Kebbi farmers, govt to partner media on modern farming techniques

Both government and the farmers also expressed ignorance over the existence of extra variety seeds said to have been mentioned by Dr. Nasiru Abu Kura, Coordinator of the
Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) the seed production unit of the Agronomy Department of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in an interview he granted Daily Trust which was published recently.
According to the coordinator, farmers should seize the opportunity by procuring the early maturing variety of seeds in areas where drought is imminent.
Chairman, Argungu Local Government Wheat Farmers Association, Yusuf Gaba, however said farmers in the area are not aware of the new extra variety seeds.
“This is the first time I am hearing about this extra variety seeds that can be harvested in 70 days. This will be good for our climatic condition in Argungu. Please, help us to get the contact of this expert in Zaria. If it is in Kebbi, we would have received it from government by now,” he said.
On whether the farmers have access to information they can use to improve yield, considering their low level of education and lack of proper organisation and orientation, Gade said most of the information were received for the first time from newsmen, adding, “you the reporters are our alternative sources of information on modern farming techniques.
“With this development, we shall ensure we buy at least a copy of your newspaper and our farming communities organise periodic enlightenment to educate the farmers on new farming techniques, which to my belief, will assist the farmers a lot. But all these depend on availability of funds,” he said.
Kebbi State Secretary of the Rice Farmers Association, Mohammed Idris said information is relayed to farmers through chairmen of the association in their local government areas.
“Every month end, we meet with all the AFAN chairmen of the 21 area councils and deliberate on recent farming developments. The chairmen are expected to go back and conduct a step down to their members,” he said.
The Director, Produce, Lawal Mohammed, when contacted said the seed variety is new and that the ministry will make arrangement to get at least 50 kilogrammes sample of the seed.
“The extra variety seed sounds like a very new and current seed that will enhance the farm yield of both large and small holder farmers. We shall make arrangement to get at least sample from the expert in Zaria,” he said.
Chairman of Jega LGA Haruna Dan Jega and that of Ngaski, Mahmud Mohammed, both expressed desire to access the extra variety seeds for farmers in their area councils.