Nigeria still imports N517.5bn rice annually – Ex-agric minister

Nigeria continues to import millions of tonnes of rice worth N517.5 billion annually, despite being its largest producer in West Africa, former minister of agriculture, Dr. Shettima Mustafa, has said. Mustafa said that the country should aim for greater role within her spheres of influence in West Africa or even Africa, by capturing a substantial […]

Nigeria continues to import millions of tonnes of rice worth N517.5 billion annually, despite being its largest producer in West Africa, former minister of agriculture, Dr. Shettima Mustafa, has said.
Mustafa said that the country should aim for greater role within her spheres of influence in West Africa or even Africa, by capturing a substantial percentage of the rice market as part of its national security interest.
He spoke at the weekend during the 22nd convocation lecture of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, in his paper entitled: “Solving Nigeria’s Food Security Challenges Through Integrated Research, Enhanced Skills and Effective Engagement of Agriculture.’’
He said that Nigeria’s present demands for rice stood at five million tones, adding that the nation only produces three million tonnes, mostly through predominant small holders’ farmers.
Shettima advised that the National Food Security (NFS) should consider how the nation can sufficiently feed its teeming population, animal and the industrial outfits needing farm produce as raw materials.