Food Crisis: FG must empower rice millers to enhance production

The general manager of Labana Rice Mills Company in Kebbi State, Alhaji Alhassan Yusuf, has attributed the current inflation rate and food shortages in the country to border closures and the inability of millers to produce enough food.

Speaking with newsmen on Monday in Birnin Kebbi, Yusuf called on the federal government to empower millers with funds to produce optimally for food security in the country.

“Let the federal government assist millers with loans to enhance their production capacity, just as it has done previously with the anchor borrower program. This time around, it should be done with amendments by providing funds directly to millers, not individuals, certain organizations, or farmers.

“With the current inflation rates, millers, producers of rice, corn, wheat, and oil need urgent help to enhance their production capacity,” he said.

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He further mentioned that the Labana company, which recently resumed production, has been impacted by the hardships and inflation of commodities.

According to him, a 50kg bag of rice, previously sold for between N38,000 and N40,000, is now being sold at N60,000 and N70,000 due to the current inflation.