Rice importation in nigeria have dropped by 88.4% in one year, according to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development.
It stated that rice importation dropped from 500,000 metric tonnes imported in 2015 to 58,000MT in 2016.
Speaking to delegates who participated at the Nigeria Agricultural Joint Sector Review in Abuja, Minster of Agriculture and Rural development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said in a speech, which was read by the ministry’s Director, Planning and Policy Coordination, Mr. Auwal Mai-Dabino,"Steps have been taken toward recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture and provision of available sulphate to fertiliser blending plants. These efforts have led to the reduction of rice importation from 500,000MT in 2015 to 58,000MT in 2016, and increased the volume of production through the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.”