Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Monday
said that the state had the potential to
produce 10million tonnes of rice, the
annual demand of the country, with
adequate financing and availability of
modern equipment.
Ishaku said this in Ardo-kola at a
stakeholders’ meeting of the PDP’s
delegates representing Jalingo and Ardo-
kola.
He said areas like: Karim-lamido, Gassol,
Ardo-kola, Lau, Ibi, Wukari, Takum,
among others, had fertile lands suitable
for growing large quantities of rice.
The governor noted that lack of sufficient
funds had undermined the capacity of
the state’s rice farmers to produce at an
optimum level.
Ishaku, however, said the state
government was determined to support
farmers in the state with farm inputs and
improved seeds to increase their
productivity.
He said that Dominion Farms, owned by
a Kenyan investor in Gassol, had been
given six months to commence buying of
paddy rice from out-growers for
processing.
The governor announced that the state
government had bought hybrid seeds of
Bennie seeds, soya beans and cassava
and it would soon distribute them to its
farmers.
“Recently, there is a high demand of
bennie seeds in our markets; though, I do
not know what they are doing with it. We
have acquired its improved seed.
“We have also acquired hybrid seeds of
soya beans and of course, cassava,
because I will soon revive our cassava
processing plant.
“When that is done, it will bring the total
companies I revived to five out of the 25
companies that were in comatose when I
took over,’’ Ishaku said.
The governor said he was in Ardo-kola to
thank the people for massively voting for
him in 2015.
“The best time to appreciate that support
is now; since I have won all the post-
election suits instituted by my
opponents,’’ he said.
Also speaking, the state PDP Chairman,
Mr Victor Bala, noted that loyalty to party
decisions was critical to the growth of
party politics.
Bala urged council area chapters of the
party that could not garner adequate
support for the party in 2015 election, to
“sit up’’ as the 2019 general elections
were approaching.
“Politics is like an investment. If you
invest a little, do not expect high
dividends at the end of the day, ‘’ he
said.