Nigeria Still Spending $480million Annually On Rice Importation – Export Council NEPC Laments

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has expressed concern over Nigeria’s annual expenditure of $480 million on importing three million tonnes of rice.

This trend has been described as “unacceptable” by NEPC Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nonye Ayeni.

According to Ayeni, the NEPC has initiated strategies to reduce rice importation by enhancing local production. She emphasized that rice has become a staple food item consumed across all socio-economic classes and regions in Nigeria.

To address the issue, the NEPC organized a one-day technical support workshop for rice farmers and processors in Lokoja, Kogi State. The workshop aimed to promote sustainable rice production, processing, and value addition.

The Nigerian government has demonstrated its commitment to achieving food sufficiency by addressing critical challenges facing farmers, such as security, infrastructure, forex, and inputs for increased production.

Additionally, the Kogi State government plans to assist farmers in accessing agricultural loans through NEXIM and the Bank of Agriculture.