Flood Washes Over 450,000 Hectares of Rice Farm In Kebbi

– FG Promises Speedy Intervention For Affected Farmers

Over 450,000 hectares of rice farmlands and other crops have been washed off by flooding in Kebbi State.

The Federal Government has also promised to mitigate the impact by ensuring that the affected farmers get improved seeds to restart planting as soon as the rains recede.

The Minister of Agriculture, Muhammad Sabo Nanono said it was one of the worst disasters witnessed in recent times and said his visit was to restore hope and build up confidence for the farmers in the state.

The Minister who was on an assessment of the devastation caused by floods in the State, at the weekend was in company of the Executive Governor, Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

He said, “What I have seen here today is very devastating, my coming here is at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari who has sent me to commiserate with the people of Kebbi state over the flood and to give you hope and assurance that the government is concerned about your plight and will do something.”

The Minister who visited the scenes of the floods in Argungu and also those along the Dukku- Makera Road that were completely washed off, appealed to the farmers not to despair.

He added that the Federal Government would address the situation.

He acknowledged that Kebbi State is one of the major producers of rice in the country as well as other crops such as maize, groundnuts, wheat, sweet potatoes, sorghum and millet, stating that a loss to Kebbi will affect other states of the federation.

Nanono said the ministry will immediately set up a special committee to mitigate the situation and ensure that the dry season farming will be boosted.

“The ministry will also encourage the farmers to explore the innovative early harvesting of their produce as is done with other crops and assist them with improved seeds,” he added.

The State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu lamented the massive loss to the farmers, explaining that it is not only the rice farms that are affected but also animal crops and fishing grounds as well as human lives were affected.

He acknowledged the resilience of the farmers and encouraged them to do more not only to compensate for lost grounds but also to generate more support.

“The latest flooding in the state is the worst after the 2012 experience and has affected over 450, 000 hectares of land stretching over 270km of farmlands,” he added.

Hundreds of villages are said to be affected and many homelands washed away by the floods.