Azman Group to farm 20,400 hectares of rice in Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Azman Rice Mills and Farms Limited, for the cultivation of 20,400 hectares of land in Toto Local Government Area of the state. Presiding over the ceremony at the Lafia Government House, Governor Abdullahi Sule said the designated area has been mapped out by […]

The Nasarawa State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Azman Rice Mills and Farms Limited, for the cultivation of 20,400 hectares of land in Toto Local Government Area of the state.

Presiding over the ceremony at the Lafia Government House, Governor Abdullahi Sule said the designated area has been mapped out by the state Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, and the affected communities have given their full consent for takeoff of the project.

Governor Sule explained further that all legal fees pertaining to the tripartite negotiations between the host community, government and the company would be settled by Azman Group, stressing that full compensation shall be paid before cultivation commences.

He disclosed that the sum of N30,000 per hectare has been agreed upon amounting to N612,000,000 for a lease period of 45 years.

The governor said agreement has also been reached for the Kano-based company to consider the local communities as the first line of employment, just as they will also enjoy the out-growers scheme of Azman Rice Mill and Farms Ltd.

As part of the accruing benefits, he explained that the farm would be a testing ground for various species of rice which will attract the international community for further investment.