More farmers enrol for CBN-backed dry season rice farming in Delta — RIFAN

The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Delta State chapter says more rice farmers have enlisted to participate in this year’s dry season farming in the state.
Silver Ejezie, the Chairman, RIFAN, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Asaba that the chapter now had 300 farmers from the 150 farmers registered in 2019.
Ejezie told NAN that the figure, which was 50 per cent higher, was commendable because dry season farming was not too popular in the state.
He said the 300 farmers enlisted at the just concluded zonal meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, adding that they which would tap into the Central Bank of Nigeria-RIFAN Anchor Borrowers Programmes.
They would receive inputs worth about N230,000 for the season.
Ejezie said a benefiting farmer was expected to pay certain percentage of the inputs, adding that the inputs included seedlings, sprayers, chemicals, fertilisers and water pumps.
He said: “I just returned from Calabar, where we had our zonal meeting, and I will be traveling to Abuja to present the list of the beneficiaries and when I return, we shall be having the stakeholders meeting.
“I am sure Abuja will release the materials on time to enable us commence the dry season farming in the state.”