KEBBI STATE | Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Governor of Ekiti State and NGF Chairman, Dr. Kayode Fayemi attended the 5th Year Anniversary of the Rice Anchor Borrower Programme, National Rice Festival, and the Flag Off of 2020/2021 dry season farming organized by Kebbi State Government.
The Anchor Borrower Programme is one of the five agricultural development initiatives rolled out by the Federal Government to redirect focus from oil to agriculture and address the country’s dependence on food imports.
Governor Fayemi described the rice revolution under the Bagudu administration as exemplary whilst commending the investments in the rice value chain to improve productivity and economic growth. Governor Fayemi urged the youths to key into the agribusiness initiatives embarked upon by states in the country.
In Ekiti State, Governor Fayemi has restructured and expanded the rice and cassava programmes through a PPP strategy with key private sector players such as Stallion Group, Dangote Group, and JMK Foods who have begun setting up rice mills in the state.
In the cassava value chain, FMS Farms is setting up a $10m starch processing plant and farm in Ikole LGA and has already commenced farming activities. Promise Point has also invested $15m in its starch processing facility, within the same area, which has also been designated as part of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone.
Lands are being cleared to advance the diversification of the state’s economy & to sustain continued investments in the agric sector.
200+ Ha has been cleared in Orin Farms for the plantation of sorghum & maize while land clearing is ongoing at the Gede Otiko farm with 50Ha cleared so far.
At the Ikun Dairy Farm, which is now fully operational for livestock and milk production, over 250 Ha of land has been cleared for the cultivation of hay, brachiaria, and cassava. Within the next 18-24 months, 10,000 litres of milk is expected to be produced from the factory.
The NGF under the leadership of Governor Kayode Fayemi is working with all critical stakeholders to ensure that Nigerian states diversify their economy through the Agric sector.
