Nigeria very close to self sufficiency in rice production – FG

The Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai mohammed has said Nigeria, under President Muhammadu Buhari, is closer to self sufficiency in rice Production. He said this will ensure total eradication of poverty and diversification of the economy from oil to other sector, especially agriculture.

The minister also said the growing achievements of the administration, especially in the three key areas that form the government’s key policy of fighting corruption, insecurity and revamping the economy have been fulfilled.

Mohammed, at a press conference on Wednesday, in Abuja, said: “The Muhammadu Buhari administration is inching closer to self- sufficiency in rice production. In recent times, and at different fora, we have been highlighting the growing achievements of this administration, especially in the three key areas that form the plank of its policy: Fight against security, tackling corruption and revamping the economy. This, we have done with facts and figures, to the chagrin of those who have mischievously sought to downplay the Administration’s achievements, for reasons best known to them.”

He said,“Today, in continuation of these efforts, we are happy to tell Nigerians of a giant stride made by the administration in the agriculture sector, specifically rice production: Nigeria is inching
closer to achieving self-sufficiency in rice, due to the success recorded by the administration in the local production of rice.”

The minister said that the Thailand Rice Exporters’ Association revealed that within a period of two years, Nigeria’s rice importation dropped drastically.
“In fact, the Thailand Rice Exporters’ Association has recently revealed that within a spate of just two years, from September 2015 to September 2017, Nigeria’s rice importation dropped from 644,131 metric tonnes to just about 21,000 Metric tonnes,” explaining that;
“As a result of this administration’s success in local production, some investors from
Thailand have shown interest in establishing rice milling plants in Nigeria, and this is sure to further boost rice production in the country. Few years ago, this would not have been possible since Nigeria was not considered a top rice producing country. Today, Nigeria is one of the largest producers of rice.”

He said the improvement in rice production across the country did not happen by accident, adding: “It is largely due to the Anchor Borrowers’ Program initiated by President Buhari, which supports farmers through inputs distribution and loans to boost rice production.

“The increased rice production has, in turn, led to the establishment of rice mills, including the 120,000MT WACOT Mill in Kebbi and the 1,000, 000 MT Dangote Rice Mill, which means, Nigeria is very close to achieving self-sufficiency in rice as I said earlier.

“By 2018, the administration targets rice production of 7 million MT. As at 2015, rice demand in Nigeria stood at 6.3 million MT. There is also the fact that locally-produced
rice is safer, tastier and healthier, in the words of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe.”

On the high price of rice in the market, even with increase in production, Mohammed said; “The increased production is bound to eventually bring down the price of rice which will bring succor to Nigerians.”

Tom Okpe, Abuja