Katsina farmers double rice production with new training

No fewer than 200 local farmers from Dutsinma and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State have been trained in modern-day rice farming techniques, as part of measures to increase food security.

Facilitated by a South Korean Foundation, SAEMAUL on Monday, at the Katsina State Old Government House Banquet Hall.

According to the Director General of the Katsina Investment Promotion Agency, Tukur Jikamshi, previously farmers in the state, were producing 2.5 to 7 tonnes per hectare, but are currently producing more than eight tonnes per hectare due to the training.

He revealed that, in the second phase of the training, 400 farmers alongside 200 extension workers will equally be trained before the last quarter of the year.

He said, “SAEMAUL Foundation of South Korea is doing a project of five million dollars in Katsina State for five years. The project is designated to two villages of Makera ward in Dutsinma and its surrounding villages as well as Raddawa ward in Matazu LGAs and its surrounding villages.

“The foundation has done a lot of constructions of irrigation facilities such as boreholes, irrigation and drainage facilities in the benefiting areas. In Raddawa, they are doing the irrigation facilities on 40 hectares of land and have undertaken several boreholes around the villages and they are doing 60 hectares at Makera village.

“Sayaya is one of the biggest wards not only in Matazu but also in Katsina State and Makera village. What we have seen today is a training of 150 farmers with extension. The impact of the training and the infrastructure and education facilities that have been constructed in the area.Before the arrival of this foundation, farmers were producing 2.5 to 7 tonnes per Hectare but today they are doing more than eight tonnes per hectare.

“Therefore, there’s improvement in livelihoods, income generation and health as well as in girl child enrollment in the area as a result of their efforts. In the second phase of the training, 400 farmers will be directly trained this year and 200 extension workers.”

A beneficiary from Matazu, Mallam Ahmed, said the training will go a long way in improving modern-day farming in the locality.

“This is a good gesture and it will improve food security as well”, Ahmed said.