FG to stabilise price of rice by April

The Federal Government said on Saturday that it would stabilise the price of rice from April to make it affordable to everybody in the country. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, made this known while declaring open the 2016 National wheat farmers field day in Alkamawa village in Bunkure Local Government of Kano state. Ogbeh said that the stability of price of rice would be very viable due to its demand and affordability to the people from April. He said the boosting of wheat production and other cereals had become necessary to reduce over dependence on importation. The minister added that 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. According to him, 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 a remark, Chairman Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, said the senate would make legislation to remove obstacles being faced by wheat farmers in the country. On his part, the Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi said Kebbi would dedicate 70 per cent of the proposed 300, 000 for wheat production to boost its production.