Nasarawa Assembly Praises State’s Agricultural Progress as Jangwa Rice Farm Harvest Commences
By Abdulkadir Yahaya
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly’s Standing Committee on Agriculture visited the Jangwa Rice Farm in Awe Local Government Area on Thursday to inspect the ongoing harvest at one of the state’s largest government-run rice farms. The farm is part of a strategic initiative that has expanded rice cultivation from 2,000 hectares to 3,300 hectares, with plans to reach 10,000 hectares.
Currently, 3,300 hectares have been cultivated and are being harvested with the support of a technical team. The project employs mechanized farming techniques to enhance food security, generate employment, and bolster economic growth locally and nationally.
The harvested rice is being bagged and weighed on-site, with partnerships established for milling and branding into products such as Nasarawa-grown rice, aiming to establish a national reputation.
Governor Abdullahi Sule has been actively involved in supervising harvest activities and promoting the farm’s expansion. To ensure the project’s success, 500 workers have been deployed to the farm.
Members of the House of Assembly’s Agriculture Committee visited the farm to assess progress, observing active harvesting operations. According to Naphtali Jarumi Dacho, head of the technical team, 30 metric tonnes of rice have been harvested so far, with plans to load up to 100 trucks, amounting to approximately 3,000 metric tonnes.
Dacho noted, “After harvest, the rice is packaged and handed over to Silvex International Company for processing and branding in Nasarawa State’s NASACO bags for market sale.”
Hon. Mohammed Iyimoga Oyigye, the Senior Special Adviser on Agriculture and Special Duties to the Governor, highlighted the farm’s role in improving rural infrastructure and providing free farm inputs funded through this project.
Dr. Ibrahim Peter Akwe, Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, praised the initiative as a significant breakthrough in combating food insecurity and urged ongoing efforts. He advised the technical team to bring additional harvesters to prevent losses, noting that more rice was still drying on the farm.
Additionally, the government has contracted the construction of the Ribi/Jangwa road to facilitate transportation of farm produce from the farm and surrounding communities. This infrastructure development has also received commendation from the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
