Arguably, the eight local government areas of Sanga, Jaba, Kachia, Kauru, Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Kagarko, and Jema’a, which constitute southern Kaduna, and which happen to be the main agricultural hub for rice farmers, need to be explored, as a lot of could be achieved in this sector if farmers are given the needed encouragement, support and technology to utilise this opportunity.
It is pertinent to note that individual rice farmers have over the years been unable to get the much needed yield for agricultural development, and so investing in smallholder farmers by providing the technology and equipment, is a giant step towards boosting rice production in that part of the state.
Therefore, provision of agricultural technology or equipment, will go a long way in building a strong economic community of rice farmers, who will work collectively towards boosting the rice sector and meeting the high demand in the domestic and external market,
It is as a result of this that the Win Foundation decided to intervene in the sector by empowering smallholder rice farmers in southern Kaduna for increased productivity, enhance food security and provide access to finance.
Dr Samson Dikko, Member representing Jaba LGA in the State House of Assembly, and his wife, Dr Chetachi Dikko, founders of Win Foundation, have therefore decided to invest massively in this sector by supporting this group of farmers in southern Kaduna through the foundation.
The foundation, through its Kalani Win Rice, targets rice farmers and consumers in Southern Kaduna, through building the capacity of small holder farmers who own between 2,000 and 3,000 hectares of land.
The goal of Win Foundation, under the stewardship of Dikko and wife, is to achieve a 30 per cent increase in income for rice farmers within three years.
The foundation also aims, among others, to develop the capacity of rice farmers associations to form cooperative groups that would help them become economically strong and independent to help members achieve their target of self reliance.
Win also plans to provide smallholder rice farmers with improved financial and rural advisory services through such cooperative groups, that would enable them make informed decisions for sustainable rice production.
