FG Says Ban On Importation Of Rice Won’t Cause Scarcity

The Federal Government has said that the proposed ban on the importation of rice by 2015 would not affect the availability of the commodity in the country.
“The planned ban on importation of rice by 2015 is not going to affect the availability of the commodity in the country because we did our home work very well,’’ the Federal Director of Agriculture in Anambra, Mr Albert Odukwe, said.
Odukwe gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Awka.

The Federal Government has said that the proposed ban on the importation of rice by 2015 would not affect the availability of the commodity in the country.
“The planned ban on importation of rice by 2015 is not going to affect the availability of the commodity in the country because we did our home work very well,’’ the Federal Director of Agriculture in Anambra, Mr Albert Odukwe, said.
Odukwe gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Awka.
He said the ministry conducted extensive analysis on Nigeria’s rice potentials before arriving at the proposed date, adding that there was massive revolution in the agricultural sector, especially on rice production.
He said that construction of a 25,000 metric tones silo at Igbariam in the state, had reached 90 per cent completion stage, adding that efforts were on to build and revamp more rice mills in the country.
 “The ministry under Honourable Minister Adesina looked at the situation very well and found out that we have the potential to grow rice to sustainability level by that time.
“It is in line with this policy that we embarked on the revitalisation of our rice mills in the country so that after harvesting it could be processed.
“We have done 90 per cent job on the silos project at Igbariam; what is left is the setting up of an administrative block.
“We also have some new rice mills we are setting up in the country; like in Anambra here, the ministry through the assistance of the state government was able to secure two lands at Omor and Ezira for rice mill projects.
“So, by the time we have it like that throughout the country you discover that before that time we would have been producing more than we can consume.”
Odukwe said that the adverse impact of last year’s flood disaster was not felt due to the ministry’s programme, noting that the ministry was not relenting on its food security programme this farming year.
“The impact of the floods of 2012 was not felt because we had a proactive food and crisis management programme in the ministry.
“For this farming season, all registered farmers in Anambra and across the country shall received subsidised fertiliser with federal and state governments paying N2, 750 per bag on behalf of farmers.
“They will also receive cassava stem cuttings and high-yielding variety seedlings among others free of charge to ensure high productivity this farming year.’’
Odukwe advised farmers to look out for text messages from the ministry as from April 29 that would inform them where and when to go and assess the subsidised fertilisers.