The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has expressed the willingness of the state government to partner with Gambian Government on agricultural production.
He made this known while receiving a high powered delegation of agricultural experts from the Gambia on a courtesy visit at Government House in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
The governor described Nigeria and the Gambia, as brothers with common interest.
“Like Kebbi State, the Gambia is an agrarian land for agricultural production, I’ve visited Gambia five times when I was the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT.
“Kebbi is the largest producer of rice in Nigeria, other states and neighbouring countries have been coming here to understudy rice production.
“From planting to harvesting as well as processing, everything is done here indigenous,” he said.
He recalled that the past three administrations in the state, of former governors, Alieru, Dakingari and Bagudu, placed premium on agriculture which the incumbent government under his able leadership consolidated on.
“Since assumption of power, I have been providing fertiliser and other agricultural inputs, including water pumping machines, power tillers and improved seeds free to farmers.
“The government has encouraged people using various incentives to go back to the farm with resounding success, culminating in bumper harvests.
“Kebbi is ready to partner with the Gambia to attain self sufficiency in food production devoid of further importation, in the spirit of brotherhood,” Governor Idris narrated.
Earlier, the team leader, Amb. Alhagie Nyangado, told the governor that the high powered delegation were on a study tour to Nigeria to imbibe the strategies adopted by the country to attain food security, especially self-sufficiency in rice production.
Nyangado, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security of the Gambia, expressed delight that Nigeria has made African nations proud, by taken the lead in securing food sufficiency on the continent.
“Gambia is proud of you as big brothers; in Kebbi State, I have seen irrigation system not seen by me before now.
“Based on professional advice, we are in Kebbi to imbibe the techniques of rice production, the delegation has gone round to see rice fields, we are amazed by what we’ve seen in the state,” he said.
According to him, if the Gambia imbibes what Nigeria is doing, the country shall make it, “our country will be out of the circle of rice problem.
“The Gambia imports 90% of its rice requirements, the cereal is the staple food of all Gambians because every household cooks rice on daily basis.
“Gambian agricultural experts are here to learn how to get our country out of food importation which has become a nightmare.”
