Okowa urges rice farmers to boost production
* farmers to benefit from central bank

DELTA State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has urged rice farmers to increase their production to meet with the needs of Nigerians.
The Governor made the call recently at Akwukwu-Igbo during a town hall meeting with people of Oshimili North local government area of Delta State.
According to the Governor, there are indications that the Federal Government will ban the importation of rice and rice farmers should boost their production to meet with the needs of the people and also, benefit from likely incentives from the Federal Government when such happens.
Governor Okowa who particularly commended the people of illah for their commitment towards the production of rice, asserted, "we are taking the growing of rice very serious because, the Federal Government may ban the importation of rice and existing farmers will benefit from Federal Government's assistance."

From Left: Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof Eric Eboh; Director General, Asaba Capital Teritory Agency, Chief Clement Ofuani and the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Development, Mr Austin Chikezie, during the Governor’s Town Hall meeting with people of Oshimili North LGA, Akwukwu- Igbo.

"We are also, encouraging our farmers to benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria anchor borrowers programme which will not only provide funds for farmers but, will ensure that their products get to the market," the Governor said, expressing regret that most farmers in the state were yet to access the fund due to improper documentation.