The Institute of Agricultural Research, IAR, of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, has collaborated with Agro-processing, Productivity Enhancement, and Livelihood Support, APPEALS, project to introduce four varieties of improved rice seed to farmers in Kano state.
The APPEALS project Coordinator in Kano state, Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim, disclosed this on Saturday during farmers’ field day on variety screening for yield potential at Kadawa village, Garin Malam Local Government area of the state.
Mr Ibrahim said that the aim of introducing the four improved rice seeds was to assist small and medium scale farmers in spending less and getting more yield after harvesting.
According to him, no farmer can record more success in farming without using the right seeds and if the right seed is used, applying insecticide will not be necessary.
“The decision to embark on such demonstration followed a research result conducted by APPEALS in collaboration with the research institute on the improved rice seed.
“It is necessary to introduce the seeds to rice farmers for them to adopt it.
”If the new seed is adopted, it will contribute towards complementing the efforts of the Federal Government in boosting the agricultural sector,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim said that APPEALS would soon start the training of selected 1,700 farmers to benefit from its empowerment programme.
He said that the beneficiaries would be given free capital to establish their selected value chain, especially in rice, wheat and tomatoes farming and processing as well as other agric businesses.
He said that arrangements were ongoing to assist rice millers in Kwanar Dawaki with some facilities to enhance their productivity and compete favourably with foreign rice.
Also speaking, Dr. Yusuf Usaini, Officer in charge of IAR Irrigation Research Station, Kadawa, said the new seeds would enable farmers get more yield at the end of farming season.
”If farmers adopt the new seeds and follow all the right processes, if a farmer is harvesting 10 bags from Faro 44 seed, this time he will get more than that,” he said.
Mr Usaini said that the different varieties of the improved rice seeds tested included WITA 4, FARO 60, FARO 66 and FARO 57.
Responding on behalf of the farmers, the Sarkin Noman Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Nadabo, represented by Malam Abdulrahman Yusuf, commended APPEALS project and the research institute for introducing the improved rice seeds
He said that farmers in Kadawa have tested the improved seeds and recorded more yields adding that they have now resolved to continue to use the seeds.
Mr Nadabo called on farmers in the area to register with the APPEALS project to enable them benefit from its empowerment programmes.
