Nigeria Yet To Attain Self-sufficiency In Rice Production- Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the country is yet to attain self-sufficiency in rice production.

He was speaking at the 4th National Discourse organized in Lagos by The Companion, an association of Muslim Men in Business and the Professions themed ‘Food Security: Unleashing Nigeria’s Natural Potential for self Sufficiency’.

“We used to import $5 million of rice every day. Although local rice is enhancing the economy, it is still more expensive than imported rice,” he said. Professor Osinbajo said that countries normally place subsidy on their rice to make it less expensive.

His words: “We are still at the point where we can do so much better. Once we are able to mill our rice, then we can compete with imported rice in terms of pricing.”

Immediate past governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, described Nigeria as a very poor nation that needed to stand up against corruption and improve on food security.

At the National Discourse, he stated that high concentration and investment on crude oil was melting the economy without meeting the demands of Nigerians and world markets.

Reacting to the country’s downward slope in agricultural development, president of Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) and pioneer vice-chancellor of the University of Uyo, Professor Fola Lasisi, expressed displeasure over the country’s inability to achieve food security.