RICE FARMING: DANTATA LAUNCHES NEW HYBRID SEED IN TARABA
Mohammed Salihu Tikka
Rice farmers in Taraba State will now have a new hybrid variety of rice to add to the many other varieties available to them.
The variety, which has more advantages over the previous ones, was introduced by AGAD FARM NIG Ltd, in their farmland in Shomoh Sarki, Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The new seed called Thailand Europe, which was introduced and already tried by some farmers in the area said is yield higher than other previous ones.
Speaking to the press, Alhaji Abdulmanan Garba Dantata, the Managing Director and Chief executive of AGAD FARM NIG. Ltd, said the plan was armed at helping the rice farmers in Taraba State to get good variety of rice seed that would guarantee food security and quality yield to complement the effort of Dr. Agbu Kefas, the Governor of Taraba State in his quest for boosting Agriculture and farming activities in the state.
He said he had started harvesting the rice he planted for this year’s dry seasons farming and by his calculation, each hectare would produce at least up to 200 bags of rice.
“If you could remember last year farming season, I promised to bring another improve seed. Based on our yield measurement for this variety., obviously, one hectre a farmer can get up to 150 – 200 bags per hectre, but if all necessary things are done, like application of fertilizer and weeding and if it is on the dry seasons farming watering of the crops should always be done at the right time, with that measures you can get the maximum outputs needed” Dantata said
Responding to a question on why the choice of Taraba State and in particular Lau Local Government Area. Alhaji Abdulmanan, stated that Taraba State has a fertile land that is suitable for farming any type of crop
“Taraba state is having a fertile land suitable for farming any type of crop and you don’t need too much fertilizer, because of the nature of the soil there, and not only me a lot of people if they can get land here, they can come and invest in farming too”
In this dry seasons farming, the Agad farm, increased its capacity to over 100 hectres more than that of last year, just to test this improved variety and it yields good and the company said it is ready to sell it out to any interested body for trials
“we are ready to sell it out to the government or any interested farmer at a subsidised rate, so that other people can benefit from it”
“ It is our hope that rice farmers can have a look at the performance of rice on-site in person and realize the importance of quality rice seed to achieve high yield.
Alhaji Dantata, noted that rice farmers in the state under the current administration of Dr. Agbu Kefas, have enjoyed the state government’s numerous assisted programs, adding that the only assistance rice farmers needed now is the reduction in the price of tractor services, and availability of fertilizers
He appealed to the government for increased support and intervention in the agricultural sector, particularly regarding the cost of tractor services and the availability of subsidized farm inputs.
Meanwhile, the host communities and some other beneficiaries of the benevolent gestures of Alhaji Abdulmanan, have appreciated the contributions of AGAD FARM to the development and wellbeing of their families in the area.
Mal. Muhammad Adamu, from Gombe state, said the presence of AGAD FARM has changed his life for better and called on the people of the area to give their full support and continue leaving in peace with one another.
Another beneficiary Maimuna Yahaya, said that AGAD FARM is everything to her now, because is through this farm that she takes care of her family and also solve other people’s problems and equally called on the people to leave in peace.
