NBGN to boost self-sufficiency in rice production by 2018

The NEPAD Business Group Nigeria (NBGN), is set to deliberate on ways to boost self-sufficiency  in the production of rice  in the country  by 2018.

This will form the crux of deliberations at the  third edition of its Nigeria rice investment  forum  tagged:  “2018 self-sufficiency in rice production: Opportunities, challenges and the road ahead”,  slated for    December 6 and 7

As contained in a release by the acting head of the NBGN secretariat, Abuja, Oluwole Dosunmu, the forum will also focus on strategies and ways to further boost dry season farming in some Northern states .

Dosunmu noted that the production of rice has become  necessary  due to the fall in the price of oil, stating that keying into the process of diversifying the nation’s economy to agriculture by the Federal Government, will allow for more concentration in creating self- sufficiency in rice production.

Dosunmu, however,  said   that the third edition of its “Nigeria rice investment forum” will bring  relevant stakeholders together to bring up ideas  in order to achieve sufficiency in rice production and exports for jobs and wealth creation .

“This is particularly important going by the dwindling revenue from crude oil, the nation’s main stay and major source of foreign earning to back importation of rice and other commodities.”

“This has made the diversification of the nations’s economy to other areas of  its advantages, a necessity; therefore, the need for self-sufficiency in rice production cannot be more urgent than now.”

“The forum, is therefore, coming at the right time wherein all  relevant stakeholders must  make efforts towards sufficiency in rice production and exports for jobs and wealth creation.”