At least 200 local farmers in Katsina State have undergone extensive training in the advanced knowledge of rice farming as part of measures to increase their productivity.
The training, facilitated by a South Korean Foundation was held on Monday at the Katsina Old Government House Banquet Hall, and drew participants from Dutsinma and Matazu LGAs of the State.
According to the Director General of the Katsina Investment Promotion Agency, Alhaji Tukur Jikamshi, farmers in the State, were producing 2.5 to 7 tonnes per hectare, but are currently producing more than eight tonnes per hectare because of the training.
He revealed that, in the second phase of the training, 400 farmers alongside 200 extension workers will equally be trained this year.
“SAEMAUL Foundation of South Korea is doing a project of five million dollars in Katsina State for five years. The project is designated to two villages of Makera ward in Dutsinma and its surrounding villages as well as Raddawa ward in Matazu LGA and its surrounding villages.
“The foundation has done a lot of constructions of irrigation facilities such as boreholes, irrigation and drainage facilities in the benefiting areas.
“In Raddawa, they are doing the irrigation facilities on 40 hectares of land and have undertaken several boreholes around the villages and they are doing 60 hectares at Makera village.
“Sayaya is one of the biggest wards not only in Matazu but also in Katsina State so also Makera village.
“What we have seen today is a training of 150 farmers with extension
“The impact of the training and the infrastructure and education facilities that have been constructed in the area.
“Before the arrival of this foundation, farmers were producing 2.5 to 7 tonnes per hectare but today they are doing more than eight tonnes per hectare.
“Therefore, there’s improvement in livelihoods, income generation and health as well as in girl child enrollment in the area as a result of their efforts.
“In the second phase of the training, 400 farmers will be directly trained this year and 200 extension workers.