The Kebbi Government has paid N350m counterpart funds for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programme (RAAMP) for the upgrading of 240km of rural access roads in the state.
The states Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Shehu Mu’azu, made this known in Birnin Kebbi on Monday at a weekly press briefing.
The briefing was being organised by the State Ministry of Information and Culture to propagate the achievements of the present administration in Kebbi state.
The commissioner said: “We have paid counterpart funds to RAAMP programme to the tune of N350m.
“Under the RAAMP programme, 240 kilometres of roads were identified for spot improvement, upgrading and routine maintenance; and so far, contract process for the award of the first phase of road has been concluded and awarded.”
Mu’azu said that the state government had procured and distributed free fertilizers to farmers in the state worth N2.6 billion in addition to palliatives of grains worth N5.6b.
“Another developmental activities are; Quelea birds control both during the wet and dry seasons of 2023 to prevent destruction of millet and rice.
“We also procured 6,000 units of solar powered irrigation pumps and are currently being distributed to farmers across the state.
“We also granted approval for the procurement of 10,000 units of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for converted irrigation pumps.
“We procured and distributed 300 power tillers and 300 motorised pump sprayers to Farmers’ Cooperative Groups,” he said.
Mu’azu also revealed that 39,500 farmers participated in the Federal Government’s dry season production programme involving 30,000 rice farmers, 7,500 maize farmers, and 2,000 cassava farmers across the state.
The commissioner said that the state government had also launched the ‘Kaura Agricultural Development and Growth Agenda (KADAGE)’ with partnerships at local, national, and international levels for agriculture and agribusiness investments in the state.
NAN
