Anambra Hits 210,000 Metric Tonnes Of Rice Production – Commissioner

The Commissioner for Agriculture in Anambra, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, said on Monday that the state has reached its target of achieving self-sufficiency in rice production.

Mbanefo made the disclosure at a Commodity Alliance Forum/Consultative meeting organised by the state Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Awka.

The commissioner recalled that the state government had earlier targeted 210, 000 metric tonnes of rice production per annum.

“Based on the calculation of our expected yields, we are expecting to realise over 236, 000 metric tonnes of rice in 2016 based on the production capacity.’’

Mbanefo said the calculation was based on all the expected yields of 35 per cent of over 14, 300 farmers and the activities of programmes like the VCDP and FADAMA.

He said the expected yield also included the activities of rice investors in the state including Coscharis farms, Joseph Agro and others.

Mbanefo said the state government was passionate about revolutionising the agriculture and making it a wealth creation, especially for unemployed youths who were willing to venture into the sector.

The commissioner, who said the state government ensured a linkage between farmers and off-takers, advised farmers who were yet to form cooperatives to do so in their own interest.

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