Masari lauds South Korean foundation over $5m investment in rice farming
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has commended South Korean foundation, Saemaul Undong, for investing $5 million to train thousands of rural rice farmers and provide facilities to boost local production of the commodity in the state.
Masari stated this at the weekend, during the closing ceremony of a three-day training for rice farmers selected from Tutare, Unguwan Zakara, Makera, and Radawa communities in Dutsinma Council of the state.
The training, which targeted more than 70,000 rural rice farmers, is a collaborative effort with the foundation, National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) and the state government.
The governor, represented by Director General, Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Ibrahim Jikamshi, said the foundation has been training rice farmers since 2019, with substantial increase recorded in local rice production among participants.
He said a section of rice farmers that has been producing 1.5 tons annually on a 1.5 hectare of land, has seen yield move up to about six tons, following the training.
Masari charged the participants to utilise what they were taught to boost local rice production and, by extension, increase their income and self-reliance.
On his part, the Director of the foundation, Mr. Lee Kyungbok, said the organisation has been partnering with the state government for the last three years, to train rice farmers and improve local rice production.
Kyungbuk said the aim of the foundation is to improve income and create a better life system for the farmers and their families.
