Nigerian rice farmers under the aegis of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) have disclosed that Nigeria may soon begin exportation of rice, stating that neighbouring West African nations are possible destinations for exports for Nigerian rice.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by Mr Ado Hassan, Secretary of the Kano State chapter of RIFAN, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as President Buhari unveiled the CBN funded Rice pyramids in Abuja.
The project is under the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers Programme alongside RIFAN and other stakeholders.
What RIFAN is saying
Mr Hassan disclosed that the rice unveiled in the pyramids came from all over the country. He added that it is not possible to deceive 200 million Nigerians with a project of that proportion.
“For the fact that Nigeria has not imported even a grain of rice in the last four years is enough prove that we are already self sufficient in the commodity. The cultivation of rice is a reality and it will continue to happen,” he said.
Hassan stated that Nigeria is set to become Africa’s largest rice producer, adding that the CBN was spending N1 billion to support rice import bills before the scheme started, but today the apex bank is no longer spending a kobo to support importation of rice.
“Today, Nigeria has become the highest rice grower in the whole of Africa. That is a great achievement.
“We have leaders of some of our neighbouring countries who are coming here today to see our miracle in rice. They are a sure market for our rice exportation,” he said.
RIFAN stated that despite the rising insecurity, rice farmers are committed to the growth of the sector, and says more investments are expected into the sector.
Today, President Buhari President unveiled the world’s largest Rice Pyramids this morning in Abuja. The rice pyramids project is a collaboration of the CBN with Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).