554 farmers get lifeline from FADAMA III

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

Edo office of Fadama III Additional Financing has offered lifeline to 554 farmers in the rice value chain.
The empowerment, according to Mr Edward Izevbigie, the State project Coordinator of the programme was targeted at cultivating hectares per farmer.
Izevbigie noted that 12 Production Clusters(PCs) and 55 Production Groups(PGs) were supported across the three senatorial districts.
“In Edo South, 280 farmers were empowered to cultivate 280 hectares of rice in Iguoriakhi in Ovia South and Iguomo/Aideyanba communities in Ovia North East local government areas the State.
“In Edo Central, 92 farmers were empowered to cultivate of 92 hectares of rice in Illushi Community in Esan South East Local Government Area of the State.
“In Edo North, 182 farmers were empowered to cultivate 182 hectares of of rice Okugbe-Agenebode in Etsako East and Warrake in Owan East local government area,” he said.
Izevbigie noted that the state government was in partnership with syngentia Nigeria limited for the supply of inputs and agro chemicals for the project.
He explained that the company supplied farmers with Faro-44 long rice seeds which has a high germination rate of about 100 percent and maturity period of three months.
He stated that the state government had also signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) which stipulates that produce would be bought at the prevailing market price with Agrotek Nigeria limited as off-taker of all the produce after harvest.
He the company has the capacity to process 40 metric tons of rice per day with ongoing financing in Edo State since 2017.