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Nigeria To Stop Rice Importation By 2015 – Minister
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Ayo Adesina says Nigeria plans to stop importation of rice in 2015 by which time the country would be self sufficient in rice production and milling.
The minister made the disclosure recently during his visit to the Onne plant of Notore chemical Industries in the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Dr Ayo Adesina disclosed that the policy of stopping the importation of rice by 2015 is part of efforts to restructure and revamp the entire agricultural sector to guarantee food security in the face of growing population.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the huge amount of money being spent on importing rice yearly when the crop could be grown everywhere in the country.
According to him, Nigeria spends about N356billion importing rice and approximately N1billion per day, importing rice while Nigeria’s rice consumption will grow from five million metric tons of rice to thirty five million metric tons by 2050, contending that over dependence on imported rice would grind the economy if not checked.
Dr Adesina said that President Jonathan has launched an agricultural transformation programe with the aim of adding 20 million metric tons of food to the domestic food supply system.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
