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Rice farmers appeal to Plateau Government to resuscitate Shendam Agricultural Training Centre

By on September 16, 2013

Jonah-JangThe Plateau State Chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has appealed to the state government to urgently resuscitate the Shendam Agricultural Services and Training Centre (ASTC), as it will cater for the agricultural needs of farmers in the zone.

This was disclosed on Monday by the Association chairman, Mr. Joshua Bitrus, in an interview with journalists in Shendam Local
Government Area of the State, when he said that the ASTCs established by the Governor Jonah Jang-led administration was the best thing that happened to the State’s agricultural sector.

According to him, “The ASTC in Shendam which covers the six local governments in the Southern zone is yet to be in full operation as it only renders partial or skeletal services. We are appealing to the governor to make it operational, so that we too can enjoy the excellent programmes.

The RIFAN Chairman noted that the ASTCs rendered world class services to farmers in unique ways and at affordable rates.

However, Bitrus commended the State Government for providing 100 tractors in each of the centres , adding that, “The ASTC headquarters in Kassa that services the northern zone and the one in Mangu which takes charge of the central zone have been in full operation since the past three years.

He maintained that, “Each of the centres has the same and equal equipment; all the offices are equal; there is no partiality of any kind and we thank government for that. But we are appealing that the Shendam centre be commissioned and be made fully operational like others.

The RIFAN Chairman stressed that farmers in the zone had been sensitised and were eager to utilise the services.

“I have enjoyed the services and I know how good it is because the tractors worked in my farm for over two weeks and I must confess, it was wonderful,” he explained.

Bitrus said the southern zone, which is a rice producing zone, would have been producing more if the centre was functional.

“Now that the Federal Government is assisting farmers with inputs under Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES), if the ASTC is at its best,
Plateau can produce enough rice to feed the nation”.