Nigeria imports food worth N600bn yearly

Bolt who lamented over government’s failure to maximize the huge potentials in both human capital and climate to develop the agricultural sector explained that about N166.4 billion or $1.3 billion is being spent annually on importation of two million tons of rice.

"Nigeria should have been positioned as the food basket of the world when you look at the favourable climate and the human capital factors. This over $5 billion spent on food stuff could be the reverse for the Nigeria," he said.

In his assessment of the quality of Nigerian rice, he posited that the locally produced rice is still bedeviled with damages, paddy, chaff brokens, spotted/black, animal excrement among others.

He however noted that the problem could be stemmed with the intervention of government with focus on its commercialization in the agrarian states, adding that such step would impact positively on income generation of farmers as well as the economy.

The project, according to him was being executed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative with Taraba State and it is aimed at guaranteeing income to the farmers and increase rice quality and quantity.

He added that efforts are underway for the establishment of rice re-processing PPP and introducing improved crop techniques.

Also speaking, Governor Danbaba Suntai described the project as another dream of the state to attract investors.

Suntai also disclosed his administration’s plans to commence a multi-million cassava planting project in few months time.

The Governor who noted that Taraba states is endowed with agricultural produce, tourism potentials and diverse mineral deposits however decried the inability of the state to harness these resources.

"We are introducing the era of quality and quantity rice that will be produce in the state and emulated in exported for others" he added.

In his remark, Arie van der Wiel, Netherland Envoy and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS opined that the project will impact positively on the lives of future millions farmers as well as saved Nigeria from the huge capital flight being lost as a result of importation of food items.