Nigeria Still Spending $480million Annually On Rice Importation – Export Council NEPC Laments
This was disclosed by NEPC Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nonye Ayeni, during a one-day technical support workshop for rice farmers and processors in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has revealed that Nigeria annually spent $480million on importing three tonnes of rice, describing the trend as “unacceptable.”
This was disclosed by NEPC Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nonye Ayeni, during a one-day technical support workshop for rice farmers and processors in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Represented by Mr Aliu Sadiq, Deputy Director of Policy and Strategy, Ayeni said the NEPC has initiated strategies to reduce rice importation by enhancing local production.
“The attention being paid to rice production by NEPC is not misplaced as rice has become one of the major staple food items being consumed across the six geographical zones of the country and socio-economic classes,” she stated.
Ayeni explained that Kogi was chosen for the workshop as it ranks the second-largest rice producer in Nigeria, with an annual output of 1.5 million metric tonnes. She urged farmers to adopt the skills and practices taught at the workshop.
“The Nigerian government under the Renewed Hope Agenda has demonstrated its commitment towards achieving food sufficiency in Nigeria by addressing critical challenges facing farmers such as security, infrastructure, forex and inputs for increased production,” she added.
NEPC Kogi State Coordinator, Usenide Aniekpeno, highlighted the importance of rice in Nigeria’s food security strategy.
“Rice stands as both a cornerstone of our national food security strategy and a vital source of income for millions of Nigerians. Beyond serving as a dietary staple, rice holds immense potential to transform lives through its economic opportunities,” he noted.
Victor Omifaiye, Director-General of the Kogi Commodity Exchange, outlined state government plans to assist farmers in accessing agricultural loans through NEXIM and the Bank of Agriculture.
Femi Ajisafe, another contributor, stressed the need for government intervention in pricing farm products, saying, “A situation where buyers are dictating price to farmers will scare away Nigeria youths from farms.”
