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FG to provide subsidy for Kebbi rice farmers

By on May 7, 2013

The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has said the Federal Government will provide subsidy for rice farmers in Kebbi State to improve commercial production of the crop.

Adesina said this in Suru Local Government Area of the state when he inaugurated the new Kebbi Guarantee Minimum Cost of Rice scheme.

The minister was on a one-day visit to rice farms in Argungu, Suru and Jega local government areas of the state.

He said his ministry would transport free rice from the farm clusters to warehouses and processing centres, adding that the official cost of rice was N6,500 per bag under the scheme.

He reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to banning rice importation by 2015.

Adesina said President Goodluck Jonathan was committed to transforming agriculture and ensure self-reliance in food production.

According to him, the Federal Government is spending N1bn on the importation of rice, but stressed that “we cannot keep foreign farmers employed, while our farmers and potential in rice production are ignored.”

He commended the efforts made by Kebbi State towards achieving the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government aimed at producing 20 million tonnes of rice for domestic consumption by 2015.

 

 

 

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