Rice farmers in support of border closure, pledge improved production

Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) expresses support for the closure of borders by the Federal Government, assuring that rice farmers will work harder to increase local rice production in the country.

Mr Victor Korede, the South-West RIFAN Vice President gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ibadan.

Korede said the border closure would add a lot of economic benefits to the nation, create opportunities for the farmers to produce more rice and to have easy access to markets.

“Food security will be enhanced, a nation that cannot feed itself is a slave to other nations; we shall eat what we produce and our foreign reserve will grow.

“The recent sudden high cost of rice is not that farmers are not producing enough as many thinks.

“Nigerians have a penchant for foreign products thus importers, especially smugglers will go to all fronts to protect their businesses. They will wipe up sentiments and force the government to rescind its decision.

“Our rice is available in markets, small, medium and large scale processors are springing up by the day embracing government’s policy, while farmers are not slacking enlarging their coast of production.

“A collaboration between smugglers who eke their living through illicit business and their foreign rice producers who boost their national economy with our huge market, and will not want us to realize our potential, is part of the problems,” he said.

He implored the government not to back down its decision as the hike in the price of rice would not last, rather efforts should be further gathered to encourage local rice production through existing windows.

Korede said that appraisal of various food security programmes should be duly carried out to improve upon successes attained, while loopholes found should be blocked.

He said that mechanization should retain its prime place in farming with recognition of micro, small and large scale farmers; awareness of planting quality seeds should increase and made available at an affordable price to farmers.

Korede further urged government agencies to wholesomely implement duty-free agricultural inputs for the farmers.

He said that local production of quality modern farm implementation should be encouraged to save the capital flight and create employment opportunity.

Korede urged research institutions to always give farmers all necessary support in capacity building and research findings on high yielding variety of seeds.

“Our colleges of agriculture should be tasked in production, students were induced to engage in production through competitions and projects with rewards or grants to proven ones.

“Security agents should be involved in bringing out the culprits who are swapping and hoarding rice in various warehouses.

“We commend the government’s effort and agencies for working tirelessly for what has been achieved thus far, the increase is just to test government’s willpower to thwart its decision, and the price will soon come down.

“Available data shows that farmers have increased production from less than three million metric tonnes that were produced in 2015 to six million metric tonnes last year.

“Not relenting, 14 million metric tonnes is the target for the year.

“The current market price of rice is not really as our target price is N10, 000 per bag and we hope to attain this in the shortest possible time,” he said.