FADAMA III increase rice farmers in Enugu




ENUGU- STUDY has reveled that the advent of FADAMA III program has increased the number of farmers cultivating rice in Enugu state.

The state project coordinator, FADAMA III additional financing, Mr. Ikechukwu Ogboke, made the disclosure in Enugu during a mid term review program of World Bank and federal joint supervision mission to Enugu state.

Ogboke said that many people in Enugu state now have keen interest in rice farming as a business and as a meaningful source ‎of livelihood.

The Task team leader, World Bank office, Abuja,‎ Dr. Adetunji Oredipe, however, called on Enugu state government to intensify efforts towards accessing over $20 million available for the state under FADAMA III additional financing, to improve rice production in the state.

Addressing farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural‎ sector during the mid term review, Oredipe regretted the low pace of implementing the program in Enugu state.

He however commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the recent investment the state government made in that direction, but stressed the need for greater commitment in the payment of counterpart funding to achieve better result in rice production in the state.

Permanent Secretary‎ in the state ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Ogbonna Idike commended the intervention of FADAMA III additional financing in the state, noting that it has brought succor and enviable transformation in the lives of rice farmers in the state.

Idike maintained that the state government had committed huge amount of money in agriculture in the state, while pledging that the state will do more.


Some of the farmers expressed hope that the project will boast their farming activities and appreciated World Bank and the state government's intervention.

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