Nasarawa Pledges Collaboration with Farmers and Lawmakers to Boost Rice Production

The Nasarawa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with non-governmental organizations and the state legislature to advance agricultural policies aimed at ensuring food security and improving the well-being of local farmers.

Hon. Umaru Tanko Tunga, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, made this declaration during an advocacy visit by the Benue, Nasarawa, and Cross River Rice Promoter Association (BENACRRIPA). The association presented a proposal for a Seed and Soil Protection Policy to ensure the sustainability of agricultural programs.

Commissioner Tunga stated that the association's submission aligns with Governor Abdullahi Sule's significant investments in the agricultural sector. He highlighted the state's 300-hectare rice farm in Jangwa as evidence of this commitment to national food security and self-sufficiency.

"The state government will domesticate this program and work with the legislature to implement the necessary laws for a sustainable agricultural policy," Tunga said.

During the visit, the association's Chairman, Timothy Iorchar, and the Advocacy Committee Chairman, Mrs. Rachel Robinson, explained that BENACRRIPA focuses on the rice value chain. They are promoting a national policy on Soil Health and Seed Production, developed in 2021, which also includes climate-smart resilience practices.

The representatives noted that the association has already trained extension workers, suppliers, and aggregators, and they urged the ministry to formally adopt the policy to promote sustainable rice production in the state.