FG to Finally Stop Rice Importation this year

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, has maintained that prices of food items will crash within the next two weeks, especially rice.

The Minister disclosed that Nigerians would soon begin to see results of the various steps taken by the government to enhance food security in the country.

Mr Ogbeh disclosed that the Ministry of Agric will supply 20 tonnes of rice seedlings to the Afe Babalola University in Ado Ekiti in the next planting season to boost rice production in the country.

According to him, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration would stop importation of rice this year.

The Minister stressed that efforts were being made to further boost local production of rice and enhance the country’s comparative advantages in rice and yam production.

He pointed out that the federal government will sign memoranda of understanding with ABUAD and Ekiti government in the two sectors.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti at the weekend during his visit to ABUAD’s farm and the Ekiti State government, Mr Ogbeh noted that Nigeria has enough domestic production capacity that could sustain consumption and meet foreign exchange earnings that can guarantee diversification of the economy.