The Federal Government is partnering with the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines for the introduction of rice that can do well under flooded conditions. The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adeshina gave this indication in Ilorin at the weekend after a visit to the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The Minister, who was in the state to inspect flood ravaged farm lands in Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas of the state, said the Federal Government will also distribute high yielding maize seedling that can mature in 60 days, free of charge to farmers.

According to the Minister, these efforts are part of federal government's effort in ensuring that the floods, across the country which ravaged farm lands, does not lead to food scarcity in the country.

Dr Adeshina said he was in Kwara State to express the sympathy of the federal government to the people of flooded areas and the state government.

The Minister of Agriculture, who attributed the floods to climate change in the world, said the federal government, apart from provision of high yielding and flood resistant seedlings, has mobilized other measures to deal with the situation.

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed said the communities in flood prone areas need to relocate to save zones as the floods have come to stay due to the climate change.

Governor Ahmed said his administration was appreciative of the Federal Government's interest, which manifested in the visit of the flood affected areas by the National Good Governance Team led by the Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku and the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adeshina.

Governor Ahmed solicited greater involvement of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the provision of succor to the people of the State as the state Government could not handle the situation alone.

It could be recalled that the flood affected over 70 communities in Patigi Local Government area of the State with 16 villages submerged.