Nigeria ‘ll ban importation of rice by 2015 – Minister

By BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

LOKOJA — Nigeria will stop importation of rice by 2015, as the commitment to ensure rice sufficiency by the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is total.

Minister for State, Agricultural and Rural Development, Dr. Bukar Tijani, made this known while flagging off the distribution of Paddy Rice to farmers in Lokoja, Kogi State, yesterday.

Tijani said the feat would be achieved with the all-year-round production of rice in the country.

He, however, commended the Kogi State government for its commitment towards the rice value- chain in the transformation agenda of the Federal Government, saying Kogi State had  comparative advantage in rice production.

The Minister explained that Kogi was among the 10 states listed for the programme aimed at increasing rice production in the country, pointing out that the state was also part of the states that would benefit from the flood recovery scheme and dry season farming programme of the Federal Government as well as receive rice mills to add to its value chain in rice production.

He also said that each farmer would get three bags of paddy rice and a bag of fertilizer free of charge from the Federal Government in a bid to boost production of the commodity.

Receiving the Minister, the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, commended the Federal Government for its support in making the Kogi State attain its potentials in the area of rice production.

Awoniyi explained that aside providing paddy rice and fertilizers to the farmers who were badly affected by the recent flood, the state would ascertain the value of land, engage in their clearings

as well as issue certificates of occupancy to deserving land owners to encourage the growth of rice and cassava in the state, even as communities which forfeit their land for farming activities would enjoy continues compensation from the state government throughout the period of the farming.