To mitigate the effect of the devastating flood that wreaked havoc and washed away over 450,000 hectares of rice farmlands and other crops in Kebbi State, the Federal Government has pledged to ensure that the farmers get improved seeds to restart planting as soon as the rains subside.
Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of the devastation caused by the floods in the State, the Minister of Agriculture, Sabo Nanono, said it was one of the worst disasters witnessed in recent times, hinting that his visit was to restore hope and boost the confidence of the farmers in the state.
The Minister, who was in the company of the Executive Governor, Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu, visited the scenes of the floods in Argungu and also those along the Dukku- Makera Road that were completely washed off.
Nanono said, “What I have seen here today is very devastating, my coming here is at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari who has sent me to commiserate with the people of Kebbi State over the flood and to give you hope and assurance that the government is concerned about your plight and will do something”. He appealed to the farmers not to be discouraged that the Federal Government “will address the situation”.
He acknowledged that Kebbi State is one of the major producers of Rice in the country as well as other crops such as maize, groundnuts, wheat, sweet potatoes, sorghum, and millet, stating that a loss to Kebbi will affect other states of the federation.
Nanono said the Ministry will immediately set up a special committee to mitigate the situation and ensure that the dry season farming will be boosted.
He said the Ministry will also encourage the farmers to explore the innovative early harvesting of their products as is done with other crops and promised to assist them with improved seeds.
The State Governor lamented the massive loss to the farmers, the state, and the Nigerian economy, explaining that it is not only the rice farms that are affected but also animal crops and fishing grounds as well as human lives.
He noted the resilience of the farmers and encouraged them to do more not only to compensate for lost grounds but also to generate more support.
Bagudu said the latest flooding in the state is the worst after the 2012 experience and has affected over 450, 000 hectares of land stretching over 270km of farmlands.
He thanked the Federal Government for the proactive steps taken to embark on an immediate assessment visit to the state and promised that the state will remain focused and consistent with its agricultural programmes.
Hundreds of villages are said to be affected and many homelands washed away by the devastating floods.
The Minister also visited the Sarki – Kebbi Argungu, Samaila Mohammed Mera, and the Emir of Gwandu who is also Chairman, Kebbi State Council of Chiefs, Ilyasu Bashar. They both expressed appreciation for the speedy visit of the Federal Government to commiserate with the state.
The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Bashar, said the flooding has affected many communities who had no option than to relocate. He said the disaster came just when the people were recovering from the shock of Covid-19 and listed crops lost to include rice, millet, sorghum, etc.
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The traditional ruler also called on the people to be patient and appealed to the media to assist in sensitizing them on the government’s efforts.
The Minister visited the Natsimi Gada of Argungu, also affected by the flood.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
