The Gambian Government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Kebbi State Government in adopting its agricultural strategies to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production.
The high-level delegation of agricultural experts from The Gambia arrived in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday for a study tour of Nigeria’s agricultural practices.
Leading the delegation was Mr Alhagie Nyangado, Permanent Secretary of The Gambia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security. He led the team on a courtesy visit to Governor Nasir Idris at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
Nyangado commended Nigeria for setting the pace in food security on the African continent.
“Gambia is proud of you as big brothers; in Kebbi, I have seen an irrigation system not seen by me before now,” he said.
He noted that the visit was informed by professional advice to study Kebbi’s rice production model.
“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 added.
According to Nyangado, The Gambia currently imports 90 per cent of its rice needs, noting that rice is a staple food in the country.
“Because every household cooks rice on a daily basis, Gambian agricultural experts are here to learn how to get our country out of food importation, which has become a nightmare,” he said.
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In his response, Governor Nasir Idris described Nigeria and The Gambia as “brothers with common interests.”
“Like Kebbi, The Gambia is an agrarian land for agricultural production. I have visited The Gambia five times when I was the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT),” he said.
He reiterated that Kebbi is the leading rice-producing state in Nigeria and has become a model for both other states and neighbouring countries.
“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 explained.
Governor Idris recalled that successive administrations in Kebbi State had prioritised agriculture, a legacy which his government has continued.
“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,” he stated.
He added that the state government had used various incentives to encourage citizens to return to farming, resulting in significant 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.
