Ogbeh: Price of rice will stabilise by April

Audu Ogbeh, minister of agriculture and rural development,  on Saturday said the federal government would stabilise the price of rice from April.

Speaking while declaring open the 2016 national wheat farmers field day in Alkamawa village in Bunkure local government area of Kano state, Ogbeh said the government has the intention of making rice affordable to everybody in the country.

He said the stability of price of rice would be very viable due to its demand and affordability to the people.

Ogbeh added that the boosting of wheat production and other cereals had become necessary to reduce over dependence on importation.

The minister said over 300,000 hectares of land in wheat producing states would be dedicated to boost wheat production.

“The government will continue to support farmers to encourage agricultural activity, enhance food security and employment generation in the country,” he said.

He said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will diversify the economy with greater emphasis on agriculture.

Ogbeh urged Nigerians to embrace agriculture to enhance their welfare and enable them become self reliant.

In his remark, Abdullahi Adamu, chairman senate committee on agriculture, said the senate would make legislation to remove obstacles being faced by wheat farmers in the country.

On his part, Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi, said his state would dedicate 70 per cent of the proposed 300,000 for wheat production to boost its production.