South East breaking News
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the National Center for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) Sawah Eco-technology technology intervention on rice witnessed another mile stone yesterday with the conduct of a Green Field Day at the Igbere Demo plot Abia State.
The Coordinator Abia State FADAMA, Pastor Ibe Johnson and Director Technical Services Abia ADP accompanied the FMARD delegation from NCAM Ilorin Kwara State led by Engr. Dr Ademiluyi Segun National Coordinator NCAM Sawah to the event.
Interacting with Newsmen while inspecting the rice demo plot with the rice farmers and the visitors at Amayi Igbere, Pastor Ibe Johnson expressed happiness at the intervention, he commended the laudable efforts of the Minister for Agriculture Alhaji Muhammed Sabo Nanono and The Executive Director National Center for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) Dr Yomi Kasali especially for introducing the Sawah Eco-technology technology in Abia State, he further expressed appreciation to the Abia State Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD for his supports to Abia farmers.
Earlier while addressing the farmers, the leader of the delegation from National Centre for Agricultural mechanization (NCAM) , commended the rice farmers for their learning ability and for adhering to the Sawah Eco-technology for rice farming, while assuring that with this method, they will be expecting bountiful harvest.
He pointed out that the Sawah Eco-technology has components which include, site selection, system design, tillage operation, agronomy practice, which involves transplanting, spacing and fertilizer application, water management and general management.
He further applauded the leadership of FADAMA and ADP for partnering with them, while commending the Abia state Governor Dr Okezie for providing enabling environment.
In her speech, the representative of ADP, Director of technical Services, Mrs Uche Nnenna, described the Sawah Eco-technology for rice farming as the easier way to boast rice production in Nigeria , while thanking the NCAM for that.
In his appreciation, the lead farmer Mr. Basil Emeka , thanked the NCAM delegation for their efforts, assuring them that ,” what we have learnt will go along way to assist us”.
“We were taught how to handle and operate the power tiller machine, this will go a long way to boast our production, we are very happy that you provided this technology to us. He appealed for a solution to the channels in the Igu Dam, “it needs dredging”
It could be recalled that “ESTRASERIF is a project of the Federal ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with an objective of expanding,” Sawah Eco-technology for Rice Farming (SERIF) to rice farmers nation wide.
“SERIF is an important rice planting and increased yielding technology in rice producing Communities for assured food security. It is a mechanized lowland infrastructural development which is technically characterized by sit selection, system Design, construction of bunds , puddling , leveling, and smoothening for best rice cultivation.
“This technology is capable of producing minimum of 4 tons /ha and yield increases with the quality of Sawah technology and can go as much as 7-9 tons/ha”