FG sets up NTF on rice and wheat production
The Federal Government has set up a National Rice and Wheat Task Force saddled with the responsibility of achieving a comprehensive and self-evident results in rice and wheat production in the country.
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, who stated on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa during the inauguration of the Task Force, said that the FG need to feed its citizens as it is the focus of the Buhari administration.
He said; “Rice and wheat is our main focus, and making sure that in one year we can show the world that we are serious. What we are trying to achieve is that agriculture is our main stay and we are trying to evolve a strategy for our economy, a strategy for employment and a strategy for feeding our people.
“Part of our intention is to set up production targets for rice and wheat in the participating states; to determine the scope and particulars for government support needed towards the attainment of the set targets; to consider and proffer the best off-take and marketing arrangements that will encourage maximum effort among the farmers/millers; to determine the rice and wheat valuechain deficiencies and recommend solutions for addressing them; to mobilize farmers and millers in identified target states to engage the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and other available support facilities; to establish timelines for the delivery of goals set by the Task Force.”
In his response, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, Chairman of the Task Force and Governor of Kebbi State, commended the Vice President for the consideration, adding that the disconnect between farmers and millers needs to be addressed, as the two bodies in the value chain need to be mobilized for maximum results.
