The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Adamawa state chapter reports it optimistic of bumper harvest in the 2018 crop season, following successful implementation of the National Rice Development Strategy (NARDS) in the state.

Mr Stephen Maduwa, the state chairman of the association, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Yola on Tuesday.

Maduwa said over 14,000 hectares of rice farm was being cultivated by famers in the state in the 2018 farming season.

“The implementation of NARDS has so far been smooth in the state.

“RIFAN is predicting bumper rice harvest by farmers in state.

“So far, we have verified about 7,468 farmers who got agricultural supplements under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cashless loan,” Maduwa said

He added that RIFAN would soon dispatch tractors to its members in the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state in order to assist them cultivate their farm at affordable price.

Maduwa said RIFAN was collaborating with the state government towards establishing a rice milling factory.

NAN