The Katsina government has commended a non-profit organisation from Republic of Korea, Saemaul Undong Foundation, for investing about $2 million in agriculture and health sectors in the last five years in the state.

This is even as the foundation recently provided health equipment worth N5 million to two healthcare centeres in Dutsinma and Matazu council areas. Director General, Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Ibrahim Jikamshi, said the foundation had expended the amount to train hundreds of local farmers and extension workers on modern farming methods.

He spoke at a three-day workshop organised by the foundation for 200 local farmers from Matazu and Dutsinma Local Councils, where they are being trained on several basic skills, including simple medical healthcare, philosophy, and modern farming methods.

Jikamshi noted that the foundation had constructed several irrigation facilities, especially in Dutsinma and Matazu communities, sank dozens of boreholes, renovated and provided medical equipment to some health facilities, among other projects.

He said rice farmers, who were trained by the foundation about two years ago, have been able to increase production of the commodity from about 2.5 tons per hectare, to about six tons per hectare.

The DG acknowledged that the foundation’s efforts had resulted in improved crop yield for farmers, better income and healthcare for benefiting communities, as well as enhanced enrolment of the girl-child in school.

Jikamshi said due to the impact the foundation was making in the state, Governor Dikko Radda had sent a delegation to the foundation’s headquarters where he made requests for extension and expansion of its activities in the state.

Also speaking, the foundation’s Project Director, Lee Kyungbok, confirmed that medical equipment worth N5 million were donated to Makera and Radawa villages, in Dutsinma and Matazu council areas.