Mr Kofar-Mata said the pumps would reduce production costs during dry-season farming and increase farmers’ profitability.
She said that the baseline study would serve as the foundation for tracking performance from 2025 to 2035.
The state government had cultivated 3,300 hectares of rice from the 10,000 hectares acquired for the rice project in the area.
The foundation also called for urgent government and community action to restore degraded forests.
NBRDA’s director-general said transparency in testing, post-release monitoring, and public engagement were essential elements of that process.
He said that with the right systems, Nigeria could turn compliance into a competitive advantage.
The cleric urged the Church to speak “sincerely and courageously against injustice, inequality, and corruption.
Mr Eni noted that out of 100,000 farmers, 60,000 would participate in maize production and 40,000 in soybean farming in 20 selected LGAs in both states.
Mr Kofarmata said the reduction was achieved through improved storage facilities, farmers’ training, and the introduction of climate-smart technologies.
Mr Bago noted that his administration was determined to change the narrative by prioritising large-scale agricultural production.
