The Cross River Government says it is targeting about 600,000 tonnes of rice production annually through the out-grower programme.
Mr Emmanuel Anoh, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rice Value Chain, said this at a meeting with small holder farmers, women and agriculture-based groups in Calabar on Tuesday.
The out-grower programme is aimed at increasing the quality of smallholder farmers’ livelihoods through access to required agri-input.
The scheme seeks to provide assistance through financing, capacity-building in yield enhancement techniques and good agronomic practices.
Anoh, also the National Vice President, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, said that apart from land, the state government had supported farmers in other ways.
“Rice farmers in the state also got other form of supports such as pesticides, fertilisers, rice seedlings and funding,” he said. The governor’s aide said that the Gov. Bassey Otu-led government was committed to improving the livelihoods of farmers, and promote food security.
“Take advantage of this initiative to strengthen the agriculture value chain for more productivity. The state government is ready to provide the needed support,” he said.
