Skip to main content

We produced 15 million metric tonnes of rice this year – Nigerian rice farmers

We produced 15 million metric tonnes of rice this year – Nigerian rice farmers



Logos – The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) on Sunday said that it produced 15 million metric tonnes of rice this year.


Lake rice

RIFAN Deputy National Vice President, Segun Atho, said that the association’s rice production in 2017 was in excess of Nigeria’s population rice requirement of seven million metric tonnes annually.


The RIFAN executive spoke at the Celebrating Nigeria Rice ceremony held at the Foursquare Gospel Church, Yaba, Lagos.
“We produce 15 million metric tons of rice and Nigerians can only consume six to seven million metric tons; we produce excess and we can export the remaining ones to some African countries.

We have about 85 million hectares of land out of it about six to seven million hectares can be use to cultivate rice that can feed Nigerians.
“As farmers we make Nigeria rice available to Nigerians, we urge Nigerians to look inwards and start patronising made in Nigeria rice,” said the RIFAN official.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr Adebola Osibon, the church’s Head of Children Ministry, urged parents to encourage their children to become farmers.
“I feel that it will impact on the children positively, the children did not know that being a rice farmer is important and good,” he said.
Mr Sagar Joe, Policy Adviser, Competitive African Rice Initiative/John Kufour Foundation, said the ceremony was aimed at sensitising Nigerians on the quality and availability of Nigerian rice through children.
“The program entails identifying one or two schools that organises end of year pupils party, find out the number of bags of rice needed to feed the pupils and supply them free of charge.
“It is also aimed to significantly improve the livelihoods of big rice farmers in selected African countries by increasing the Competitiveness of domestic rice supply to meet increasing regional demands,” he said.
The event was orgànised by RIFAN and Competitive African Rice in conjunction with Foursquare Gospel Church.
Over 700 children from the church and neigbouring Makoko, Ijora-Badia, Ojuelegba and Bariga communities attended the ceremony. (NAN)

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

7 Serious Side Effects Of Lime Juice

7 Serious Side Effects Of Lime Juice There is no doubt lime juice is one of the best drinks coming from the laps of nature. It is tasty and quenches one’s thirst in a jiffy. But however beneficial it might be, it too has a number side effects that might cause health hazards. What are those side effects of lime juice? Read on to know! Side Effects Of Lime Juice 1. GERD GERD, also known as ‘gastroesphageal reflux disorder’, is a digestive disorder that affects the ring of muscle between the oesophagus and stomach. GERD is triggered by spicy or acidic foods. And lemon juice is one amongst them. Lemon juice can actually irritate the oesophageal lining thereby exacerbating GERD. (1)                                 About Symptoms?  The symptoms of GERD include nausea, heartburn and vomiting. 2. Tooth Decay Natural bacteria flourish in our mouths and form plaque. When we don’t freely wash ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Banana – The magic fruit for women

Banana – The magic fruit for women                             Banana Commonly available across the world. It is the energy booster, high in potassium and contain good amount of protein and protein and dietary fibre. Potassium is important and helps in maintaining fluid levels in body, regulates the movement of nutrients and waste of the cells. In India it is used in variety of cuisines like kheer, halwa, payasam, sheera and paniyaram etc. Raw banana is also used in making snacks like banana wafers, kebabs, pakoras etc. If you travel towards south, in Kerala it is used to make the famous curries avail and kalan. When we go to northeast, their local breakfast is cereal known as jolpan consists of puffed rice with curd and jaggery topped with banana pieces. It is also used in most of natural home remedies in India such as upset stomach. Incredible reasons that one must include banana in his/her diet:  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How Much Caffeine Do Coke and Diet Coke Contain? Find Out Now

Knowing How Much Caffeine Coke and Diet Coke Contain Find Out Now! However, soft drink consumption has been associated with many health concerns, ranging from weight gain to high blood sugar. Not only that, but Coke and Diet Coke also contain a hearty dose of caffeine, which can be problematic for those looking to cut down their caffeine consumption. This article compares the caffeine contents of Coke, Diet Coke and other beverages and tells you how it could affect your health.                     What Is Caffeine ? Caffeine is a naturally-occurring chemical that acts as a central nervous system stimulant, enhancing alertness and fighting off fatigue. It can be found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of many plants and is especially prevalent in cocoa beans, tea leaves and coffee beans. It’s also commonly added to many products, including soft drinks, energy drinks and certain over-the-counter medications. Nowadays, caf...
Post a Comment
Read more