The Nasarawa State government has begun the harvest of its 10,000-hectare rice farm to boost food security.

Governor Abdullahi Sule visited the farm at Jangwa, Awe Local Government Area, to monitor the harvest on Thursday and said 2,000 hectares were cultivated as a project’s pilot phase six months ago.

According to the governor, the state will harvest rice from the farm twice yearly due to the improved variety planted.

Mr Sule explained that the 10,000-hectare rice farm project was in line with the Renewed Hope Food Initiative of President Bola Tinubu, aimed at ensuring food security in the country.

He appreciated the state’s people, especially the Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme and Jangwa community, for their cooperation and support and called for its sustenance.

“The project is an inclusive one as it has carried along both the youths and women in the planting and harvesting of the rice. A lot of indigenous people have been employed through the project.

“As part of efforts to ease transportation of the farm produce in the area, we have awarded a contract for the construction of an 18-kilometre asphalt road from Rabi to Jangwa community,” he said.

Mr Sule said the state government would compensate the community members for 300 hectares already occupied for other activities out of the 10,000 hectares.

The governor said Nasarawa State, known for solid minerals and agriculture, decided to take the lead through the project to show its commitment to agriculture to achieve food security.

“What we are doing here is to motivate others to venture into agriculture so that we can collectively boost food production and end hunger in our state,” he said.

In separate interviews, Zaki Justin Shaku and Yusuf Jangwa, a youth leader in the community, lauded the state government for the initiative.

(NAN)