Association Seeks Support For Rice Farmers

The Rice Sellers Association of Nigeria (RISAN) in Gombe State has called on the three tiers of government to give adequate support to rice farmers.

The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Bala Idi, made the call while speaking to newsmen in Gombe.

Idi said the support would boost local production and help achieve the dream of self-sufficiency in rice production.

He suggested that the support could be in form of educating farmers on modern farming techniques and provision of farm inputs, to enhance their productivity.

He said that with proper planning, sufficient rice could be produced for domestic consumption and for export.

“It is possible to export the commodity instead of importing same because we have all the resources in the country.

“Nigeria has enough farm land that can be used to produce rice for domestic consumption and for export,’’ he said.

Idi added that importation of rice could be avoided if policies geared towards revitalising the agriculture sector were properly implemented.