Yemisi Izuora/Ijeoma Agudosi
The Rice Millers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (RIMIDAN) has described ongoing developments in the agriculture sector of the economy as a revolution, saying the federal government deserves commendation for its effort.
The associations president, Mr Tunji Owoeye, told journalists in Lagos that initiating lofty policies is one thing; but that it takes much more political will to implement such policies, as has been demonstrated by the Federal Government.
According to him, any government which is able to prioritise food security deserves commendation because without food development process would be slow.
He said unlike before when most people viewed agriculture as a part time business for retirees and aged people,the current revolution in the sector has attracted the interest of foreign and local investors thereby strengthening the industry.
He observed that today all the agriculture value chains have been impacted by the policy and they include, increased mechanisation of agricultural practices leading to better yields, and the availability of credit facilities for agriculture sector as evidence of the revolution that has taken place in the sector.
Owoeye said the totality of the policy has therefore enabled increased interest of foreign investors in the agriculture sector, and improvement in the number and acreages in rice farms as well as generation of employment opportunities and empowerment of people across the agriculture value chain.
