RIFAN urges FG to sustain border closure
The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has urged the federal government to sustain its current border closure, saying it would help boost the economy.
Chairman of the Niger state chapter of the association, Alhaji Idris Abini, who made the call in Minna on Sunday, said that the closure has increased rice production in the state due to increased demand by marketers and consumers.
“Although, we are yet to meet the local demand for rice, we have started the journey to produce more rice due to the closure of our borders because efforts will be made by both government and farmers to produce enough food.
“The border closure is a right step in the right direction because it is already increasing wealth among farmers as consumers are beginning to patronise our local rice,” he said.
Abini said that Nigeria has different varieties of rice that can compete favourably with foreign ones, adding that the closure would ensure security in the country as smuggling of illegal arms and ammunition would be curtailed.
“Those criticising the closure of the borders are not true Nigerians because it is one of the best decisions of this administration,” he said.
Abini expressed optimism that the policy would succeed as government is providing the enabling environment for agriculture to thrive by supporting farmers with inputs and implements.
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“The federal government has demonstrated this through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) anchor borrowers scheme by allowing farmers to access more loans even when previous ones have not been fully repaid,” he said.
