The Osun Government on Friday commended the Federal Government for its decision to ban rice importation by 2014.
Mr Kayode Olanipekun, the Acting General Manager, Osun State Agricultural Development Corporation (OSSADEC), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo that the policy would encourage local production of the commodityrice.
Olanipekun said that the country has the resources to produce enough rice for local consumption.
“The mission to stop importation of rice into the country is accomplishable, if the Federal Government will be serious with the policy and invest appreciably in the agriculture sector.
“Although, it can be difficult a bit at the beginning, but it will be to our advantage because it will ensure food security in the country and eventually boost our foreign exchange, because we have the resources — human and natural.
“It is now imperative for governments at all levels to increase budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector and not defence, since we are not fighting or waging wars,’’ Olanipekun said.
However, the general manager advised the government to get its priority right by giving the necessary attention to agriculture, noting that the country was blessed with the natural and human resources to prosper as an agrarian nation.
He also urged the government to boost the production of local rice along with other food crops such as cassava, maize, beans and cowpea. (NAN)
