Irrigation farming system has been identified as one of the sure methods for all year round rice production, the Executive Director, National Cereals Research Institute, Dr Samuel Agboire, has observed.
Dr Agboire, who disclosed this in Sokoto while delivering the keynote address at a two-day sensitisation workshop organised by AfricaRice with theme ‘Applying Innovation System Approach in Rice Value Chain Analysis and Development for Competitive Markets in Nigeria’, said Ttransforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) was conceived to increase competitive advantage through collaboration in a venture that links producers, millers and marketers.
The executive director, who was represented by, Dr. Aliyu Umar, said Nigeria can produce high quality rice and rice based products that can withstand the test of time.
In his remarks, an official of the AfricaRice, Dr. Salim Ndindeng, said Sokoto State has less risk climate, which according to him, is suitable for rice farming.
‘‘Sokoto State is blessed with very good soil, a maximum of eight to nine metric tonnes can be gotten from a hectare. So, Sokoto is less risk farming state,’’ he said.
