The Dangote Group on Thursday said it had concluded arrangements to develop 16, 000 hectares of land for commercial farming in Kafin-Hausa Local Government Area of Jigawa.

The representative of the company, Mr Femi Afolabi, said this during a community sensitisation exercise in Kafin-Hausa.

Afolabi said the company would develop 15, 000 hectares for rice cultivation while 1, 000 hectares had been earmarked for construction of a modern rice mill.

He said that another 10, 000 hectares of land would also be developed for seed out-grower farm, adding that the measure was to encourage production of quality seed.

According to him, the company will spend about 250 million dollars on the project which will generate about 50, 000 jobs among rural dwellers.

Breaking down the figures, Afolabi explained that $150m was earmarked for rice cultivation in Kafin-Hausa while $100m was for industrial sugarcane production in Kaugama.

He said that the company had made adequate arrangements to ensure full payment of compensation to farmers whose farmlands were taken over for the project.

Afolabi said the project was expected to take off in the next three months as part of the company’s drive to boost rice production in the country.

Also speaking, the council’s Chairman, Alhaji Bako Tamballe, commended the company for establishing the farm in the area.

Tamballe called on communities to cooperate with the workers to facilitate successful execution of the project.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Dangote Group had designated rice cultivation centres at Kafin-Hausa, Kwatalo, Dumadumin-Toka, Dudumin-Kyaure and Ruba districts, all in Kafin-Hausa.

The company also plans to set up additional rice and industrial sugarcane plantations at Auyo, Kaugama and Malammadori Local Government Areas.