Nigeria Will Soon Begin Exporting Rice – RIFAN
Nigeria will soon begin exporting rice in order to achieve the twin goals of food security and economic diversification, this is according to the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN)
Mr Ado Hassan, Secretary of the RIFAN chapter in Kano State, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the Abuja unveiling of the mega rice pyramids.
According to NAN, the pyramid, which will be unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari, is a collaboration between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and RIFAN under the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Program.
Hassan refuted claims that the rice pyramids on display were not entirely composed of rice, stating that the commodity was brought in by rice farmers from virtually every state in the country.
“The rice here is from all over the country. RIFAN has always been real; it is not possible to deceive 200 million Nigerians with a project like this.
“For the fact that Nigeria has not imported even a grain of rice in the last four years is enough proof that we are already self-sufficient in the commodity. The cultivation of rice is a reality and it will continue to happen,” he stated.
Hassan stated that Nigeria had become Africa’s largest rice producer as a result of the Federal Government’s support and the CBN’s intervention.
“There was a time when the CBN was spending N1billion to support rice import bills. Today the apex bank is no longer spending a kobo to support the importation of rice.
“Today, Nigeria has become the highest rice grower in the whole of Africa. That is a great achievement.
“We have leaders of some of our neighbouring countries who are coming here today to see our miracle in rice. They are a sure market for our rice exportation,” he said.
He added that, while insecurity was a setback, it did not deter farmers from growing a variety of crops.
He assured that Nigeria’s massive investment in rice cultivation will lower the price and make it more accessible to ordinary Nigerians.
This article was originally published on Naija News
