RICE FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA BEGINS RICE PLANTING

The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Akwa Ibom Chapter has flagged off Batch ‘A’ 2020 Wet Season Rice Planting in the state. Dr Emmanuel Bassey, the State Chairman of the Association, performing the flag off at National Cereal Research Institute, Owot Uta Ibesikpo Asutan LGA on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 thanked members for their prompt response and huge attendance at the event which portends their readiness and willingness to achieve the aims and objectives of the exercise.

Dr Bassey enjoined them to make good use of the opportunity offered by the exercise to contribute significantly to a bouyant post COVID-19 economy in the state through massive production of rice by employing appropriate farming methods, proper application of inputs and implements supplied by central bank through Rice Farmers’ Association of Nigeria.

The State RIFAN chairman enjoined RIFAN members and farmers in general, to participate in the on going registration of farmers in the state, which among other benefits would provide reliable data base for farmers in the state, identify genuine farmers for support that would give them the capacity to perform optimally and attain food sufficiency, generate employment and create wealth in line with the Completion Agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

A number of farm inputs and implements such as; fertilizers, rice seeds and seedlings, water pump, herbicides, among others were shown at the event.

Present at the occasion were representatives from Central Bank, Unity Bank, NAIC, Youths in Agriculture, AKADEP, Ini and Ibiono Ibom LGAs Farm Settlements, etc.