Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has said that 250,000 millionaire farmers will
be created Kebbi state by the end of 2017.
Emefiele made the disclosure to
Kebbi farmers when he visited the WACOT Rice Factory in Argungu on Thursday.
“I was told by a permanent secretary
that 88,000 millionaires had been created through rice and agricultural
revolution. I am assuring you that by the end of this year, 200,000 to 250,000
farmer millionaires will be created through the revolution,” he said.
He also assured farmers in the state
that government would buy off whatever quantity of rice they were able to
produce.
Emefiele commended the Emir of
Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Mere, for providing land for the company and for his
desire to stimulate agricultural revolution in the country.
He, however, called on other royal
fathers to emulate the monarch’s desire to drive agricultural revolution in the
country.
Also speaking, the Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, expressed optimism that farmers
in the state, will soon receive national recognition.
He, however, underscored the need
for other states in the country to use the agricultural best practices of Kebbi
as a benchmark, while embracing farming as a sustainable means of wealth
creation.
Earlier, Rahul Savara, the Chief
Executive Officer of the company, said that the rice factory would generate
3,500 jobs and engage the services of 6,000 farmers.
He said that the rice factory was
capable of producing 120 tonnes of rice daily, adding it could also generate
one megawatt of electricity.
He commended the state government
and other stakeholders for partnering with WACOT Rice Factory.
In his remarks, Governor Atiku
Bagudu of Kebbi assured the company of the maximum support and cooperation of
his administration.
He commended the company for its
achievements within a short time and called on other companies to invest in the
state.
“We are ever ready to support any
company that is interested in investing in our state,’’ he added.
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