The Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) says, it’s targeting to train about forty thousand wheat farmers for this dry season farming in Kebbi State.
The National Programme Manager of the Association, Dr Aliyu Samaila, stated this during the Kebbi Wheat Farmers Green Field Day held at Dangamaji village in Jega local government area of Kebbi state.
He said, the association has targeted 250,000 farmers across Nigeria to be trained on wheat cultivation these season and as well targeting additional 250,000 for next dry season.
Dr. Samaila, noted that, the association has demonstrated 68 plots of wheat farms in five local government areas of Kebbi state alongside private outgrowers cultivating about 250 hectares in the state which are expected to yield about 736 tons this season.
According to him, each of these demonstrate plots of 0.5 hectares are expected to produce 20 bags each of wheat of two tons apart from the 250 private outgrowers which are also cultivating 300 hectares of land in Kebbi state with expected 600 tons from their cultivation.
He explained that, the demonstration Wheat plot in Kebbi state was the fourth of such the association has showcased in Nigeria, adding that, the essence of the plots was to demonstrate new modern technologies of wheat farming in Nigeria with improved seeds, fertilizer and irrigation system.
The Kebbi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Maigari Abdullahi Dakingari, commended the association for their efforts towards improving wheat farming in the country saying, the state has all human resource and fertile land to be the best state in Wheat cultivation just as it does in the rice revolution.
Abdullahi Dakingari, appealed to the Association and other stakeholders to ensure adequate marketing, fixed price for the wheat which would encourage farmers as well as regular training for both farmers and their trainers.
He however called on people and particularly young graduates to engage into farming activities so as to become self employed and to create wealth.
Abdullahi Tukur
