Moses Ofodeme
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono; is worried that despite efforts to boost local rice production the country is still experiencing rising cost of rice in the market, describing it as unpatriotic.
Nanono, however lauded the effort of farmers in Nigeria; stating that it will help actualise the government’s agenda in the Agricultural sector being food sufficiency, job creation, and economic growth.
The Minister said this during a working visit to rice farms and mills of Stallion Group Limited, Popular Farms and Mill Limited – the producers of Stallion rice in Kano, Kano State on Sunday, March 1
He said: “I see no reason why a 50kg bag of rice should be sold for N17,000. The same paddy rice is sold at N8,500 and the maximum processing expense is N2,000 making a total of N10,500. It is unpatriotic to sell a bag more than N14,000 to N15000.”
Furthermore, Nanono noted that the Nation’s land border closure had resulted in an accelerated and increased output by rice milling plants in Nigeria; adding the boost would reduce the high rate of unemployment.
The Minister reiterated that with the improved production rate; Nigeria rice is bound to compete favourably in the global market the moment exportation begins.
He noted that the Ministry would convene a forum for all relevant stakeholders in the rice sub-sector to dialogue on how to improve on rice seedlings, farm inputs among others.
He lauded the Stallion Group for efforts towards improving rice production and creating jobs for Nigerians.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Managing Director, Popular Farms and Mill Limited; Mr Amit Kumar Rai stated that “Stallion Group Popular Farms and Mills Limited, has invested over $70m to boost production of Agric business in Nigeria.”
It operates the biggest rice mill in Kano with an annual installed capacity of 430, 000 metric tons. It has a consolidated capacity of 1.7 Mn Metric tons.”