Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has launched a campaign tagged, `Operation Produce More and Eat Nigerian Rice’ to encourage production and consumption of local rice, while putting end or reduction to its importation.
The South-West Zonal Coordinator of RIFAN, Mr Segun Athoh disclosed that the association was already clearing and preparing some lands in Badagry, eastern part of Lagos State to grow rice.
He said, “We are presently on the farm now doing land preparations to grow rice in Badagry. What I will advise Nigerians, according to my slogan, is: Operation produce more and eat Nigerian rice.”
“It is high time Nigerians changed their pattern of feeding; if we can grow rice, wheat, guinea corn and many others, there is nothing bad to eat our own, “Nobody will query us for eating our local produce, we have to change our pattern and look inward,’’ he said.
Adding that, “We have the dedication, ability and discipline to achieve this, so that we can match other nations, shoulder to shoulder.”
The coordinator, however, urged the Federal Government to do more in terms of direct funding.
“It is time for everybody to have a sober reflection on the state of agriculture in the country. Everybody should start growing what we can eat.
“We have to do what we call backward integration so that at the end of the day, we will be self-sufficient in Lagos State, and the country at large.
“With the little land in Lagos State, I believe we can feed ourselves. Where we have shortfalls, we can get more to add to what we have,’’ Athoh said.
Nigeria imported about 8 million metric tonnes of rice mainly from China and Taiwan.
