The Gambian Government says it will partner with the Kebbi Government to adopt the state’s agricultural strategies to attain self-sufficiency in rice production.
A high-powered delegation of agricultural experts from Gambia was in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday for a study tour to Nigeria.
The team leader, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security of the Gambia, Mr Alhagie Nyangado, led other members of the entourage on a courtesy visit to Gov. Nasir Idris at Government House, Birnin Kebbi.
Nyangado expressed delight that Nigeria had made African nations proud by taking the lead in securing food sufficiency on the continent.
“Gambia is proud of you as big brothers; in Kebbi, I have seen an irrigation system not seen before now.
“Based on professional advice, we are in Kebbi to imbibe the techniques of rice production. The delegation has gone round to see rice fields, we are amazed by what we’ve seen in the state.
“If the Gambia imbibes what Nigeria is doing, we shall make it, our country will be out of the circle of rice problem,” he said.
According to him, the Gambia imports 90 per cent of its rice requirements, adding that cereal is the staple food of all Gambians, “because every household cooks rice on daily basis.
“Gambian agricultural experts are here to learn how to get our country out of food importation, which has become a nightmare.”
In his response, Gov. Idris, described Nigeria and the Gambia, as brothers with common interest.
“Like Kebbi, the Gambia is an agrarian land for agricultural production, I have visited Gambia five times when I was the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
“Kebbi is the largest producer of rice in Nigeria, other states and neighbouring countries have been coming here to understudy rice production.
“From planting to harvesting as well as processing, everything is done here indigenously,” he revealed.
Idris recalled that the past three successive administrations in the state placed premium on agriculture, which the incumbent government under his able leadership consolidated on.
“Since assumption of power, I have been providing fertilisers and other agricultural inputs, including water pumping machines, power tillers and improved seeds free-of-charge to farmers.
“The government has encouraged people using various incentives to go back to farm with resounding success, culminating in bumper harvests.
“Kebbi is ready to partner with the Gambia to attain self-sufficiency in food production devoid of further importation, in the spirit of brotherhood,” he declared.
