NALDA Builds Farmers’ Capacity On Rice Irrigation

Determined to boost food security in the country and create jobs, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) said it has improved the capacity of over 100 rice farmers in Niger State in the area of irrigation farming.

The NALDA state coordinator, Mr. Aminu Umaru, during a tour of the 417 hectares of land acquired by local farmers for the irrigation farming in Paikoro Local Government Area of the state, pointed out that the farmers were specifically exposed to irrigation rice farming and upland rice farming in order to harness the potentials of the River Kaduna as well as improve the income of the indigent community, which was restricted to fishing alone before the intervention if the authority in January.

The initiative was part of efforts by the authority to strengthen President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to making the country food sufficient as well as create jobs for the teeming youth population through agriculture.

It further signals the flag off of the NALDA dry season farming in five states of the federation including Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Taraba, and Niger.

Umaru pointed out that with NALDA’s presence in the community, many young farmers have indicated interest to be trained in rice planting and the handling of farm tools and equipment which was solely provided to assist the farmers.

He said: “Over 10 pumping machines two tractors, 50 planters, sprayers, transplanters, seedlings, gloves, and other farming tools have already been provided, while about 10 women from the community were also trained in the program.”