By: Ekanem Ekanem-Faith,CRS- MOI Officer reporting from Ministry Agriculture.
The National Vice President, South South of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Emmanuel Anoh, has said that, Cross River is a model for Rice production in Nigeria.
Mr Anoh stated this at the Rice Farmera Association of Nigeria(RIFAN) Delegate Congress at the RIFAN Office Calabar.
He appreciated Governor Ben Ayade for his efforts and commitment to the Green money initiative as well as Agricultural revolution in the State, adding that Local Goverment Chairmen of RIFAN are to strengthen loan recovery especially through rice paddy and high yeild recorded in the season.
Mr Anoh further told farmers in the State to make themselves available for the on-going data capturing and farm Mapping exercise for year 2020 rice farming season so they benefit maximally from all the many potentials available in the sector.
Earlier the Head, Development Bank Office, Central Bank of Nigeria, Calabar, Dr. Akpan Umoren, Said that the Apex bank was ensuring that the farmers in the State were effectively cultivating rice by providing loans to them.
Dr. Umoren said their taget for the State, is for her citizens not to buy rice of 50kg for not more than #14,000 and urged the farmers to reciprocate the gesture of the State Government and Central Bank to raise money through rice products which will help fight unemployment and it is only achievable through Collaboration.
High point of the delegate conference is the appointment and oath taking of the new, acting Cross River RIFAN Executive to strengthen the activities of the organisation in the State.
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