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The PJS Agro farms Limited says it has created 1,200 jobs, in partnership with the Federal Government, through rice production.
The Chairman of the farm, Pulkin Jain who disclosed this during a visit by the Minister of Water Resources to the farm, said since the farm started operation in 2015, 1000 unskilled and 200 skilled jobs have been provided.
The farm leased 7,500 hectares of farmland from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources through the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, in Swashi community, New Bussa, Niger State.
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Jain said being one of the first to embrace the backward integration policy of the Federal Government; the firm has invested N8b in local rice cultivation.
He disclosed that the firm had build new irrigation systems incorporating the latest technologies required in a 21st century mechanised farm, as well as importation of several farming machinery and earth equipment to prepare the land for farming.
Jain disclosed that farmers in the community have been trained on modern farm methods, as well as application of pesticides and fertilizers, adding that several groups including the cadets of the Nigerian Air Force and their commanders have also been trained.
The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu in his remark expressed satisfaction over the massive investment of PJS in rice production, stating that government would provide them with the needed support to make their operation successful.
Speaking on the concern of the farm on the inadequate water from the dam, the minister said he would work with the Upper Niger River Basin and look at the possibility of raising the crest of the dam so that it can store more water, if safety consideration would permit.
