The Tide News | Thursday, Jun 19, 2008
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its resolve to create an enabling environment to enhance rice production and processing, as well as promote and protect other agricultural business interests in the state.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture. Mr Marshall Uwom gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received members of the Management Team of ‘TRANS4ormation’ Agrictech Limited in his office in Port Harcourt.
He noted that some local government areas in the state have vast land, which can be procured for rice production, stressing that people should also consider the social benefits of any venture which the government is willing to participate in.
Uwom re-affirmed the ministry’s preparedness to partner in other areas of agricultural development, noting that “government is there to assist as much as possible in the accomplishment of a healthy society and thrives better when a collaboration is on hand with ideas to achieving set goals.”
Earlier, the ‘TRANS4ormation’ team leader, Mr Stephen Liney, who was assisted by Dr Sample Ibemerum, explained that the team specialises in food security and works solely with Vietnamese Rice farmers, world acclaimed leading exporters of rice.
According to him, in a week’s time the Vietnamese rice farmers will commence operation in Rivers State, saying that the only assistance needed by them is ten hectares of land.
Mr Liney further stated that they come to acquaint the commissioner on the way forward to achieving significant impact on food production as well as help in the area of employment generation and capacity building.
He added that the body intends to train about four thousand Nigerian farmers on the technology of growing rice, especially in large scale, pointing out that a farm research laboratory would be set up which he promised will be a win win approach for all.
The permanent secretary. Of the Ministry, Ignatius Piegbara and the Director, Planning Research and Statistics Department Showers Warmate were also present.
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its resolve to create an enabling environment to enhance rice production and processing, as well as promote and protect other agricultural business interests in the state.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture. Mr Marshall Uwom gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received members of the Management Team of ‘TRANS4ormation’ Agrictech Limited in his office in Port Harcourt.
He noted that some local government areas in the state have vast land, which can be procured for rice production, stressing that people should also consider the social benefits of any venture which the government is willing to participate in.
Uwom re-affirmed the ministry’s preparedness to partner in other areas of agricultural development, noting that “government is there to assist as much as possible in the accomplishment of a healthy society and thrives better when a collaboration is on hand with ideas to achieving set goals.”
Earlier, the ‘TRANS4ormation’ team leader, Mr Stephen Liney, who was assisted by Dr Sample Ibemerum, explained that the team specialises in food security and works solely with Vietnamese Rice farmers, world acclaimed leading exporters of rice.
According to him, in a week’s time the Vietnamese rice farmers will commence operation in Rivers State, saying that the only assistance needed by them is ten hectares of land.
Mr Liney further stated that they come to acquaint the commissioner on the way forward to achieving significant impact on food production as well as help in the area of employment generation and capacity building.
He added that the body intends to train about four thousand Nigerian farmers on the technology of growing rice, especially in large scale, pointing out that a farm research laboratory would be set up which he promised will be a win win approach for all.
The permanent secretary. Of the Ministry, Ignatius Piegbara and the Director, Planning Research and Statistics Department Showers Warmate were also present.
