Flood: FG plans to grow more food through irrigation

The Federal Government is working out a special food production plan to grow more food through irrigation in the forthcoming dry season.This is to minimise the effects of crop losses caused by the recent flooding that destroyed farms in parts of the country.Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who disclosed this during his tour of affected areas in Niger and Kwara states, said early-maturing maize seeds would soon be made available to farmers for planting.'We will also distribute improved high yielding varieties of rice, cassava and yam,' he said.He further said "while we sympathise with farmers in the flood affected areas, I want to assure them that we will do everything possible to make up for lost harvests through aggressive food production plan for the dry season. We will not abandon our farmers.'Government will put in place a 'flood recovery food production plan' that will include free distribution of improved varieties of crops and fertilisers to farmers in flood affected areas.'The improved, early-maturing, high-yielding seeds would be ready for harvesting within 60 days of planting.'Moved by what he saw of the devastation caused by floods on rice, maize and banana on the bank of River Kaduna, Dr Adesina said the Federal Government was concerned about the plight of the victims of the flood and would do everything possible to mitigate the effects of the disaster.Sarkin Noman Wushishi, Alhaji Musa Gudigi, who was among those who received the minister along with the Niger State deputy governor, Alhaji Abubakar Ibeto, at the flooded bank of River Kaduna just outside Wushishi town, expressed joy over the visit of the minister.He informed the minister and deputy governor that the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme of the Federal Government had made it possible for hundreds of farmers in the area to access subsidised fertilizers and improved seeds through e-wallet.
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