Nigeria tops food-importing nations’ list – Minister

http://www.punchng.com/business/business-economy/nigeria-tops-food-importing-nations-list-minister/
The penchant of Nigerians for imported materials has put the nation on top of the chart of food importing nations, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, has said.

For instance, he said Nigerians were spending N1bn daily on imported rice and N1.3tn annually on other imported basic items like wheat, sugar and fish.

Akinwunmi, who spoke in Abeokuta at the opening session of the two-day Ogun State Investors’ Forum, however, did not give details of other nations on the high food importers’ list.

He said the nation, which currently consumed about five million metric tonnes of rice per annum, could increase the rate of consumption to 36 million metric tonnes by 2015.

The minister, however, said the Federal Government had commenced measures to address the problem and would stop the importation of rice by 2015, with abundant production of the produce expected from Taraba State.

According to him, the Taraba rice project to which $40m is being committed, will lead to the production of 40 per cent of Nigeria’s rice demand.

He also said three rice mills, being established in Niger, Ebonyi and Taraba states, would be capable of providing enough rice for Nigeria.

The quality of local rice, including the Ofada rice from Ogun State, he added, would be improved upon to meet international standard and make it exportable.

“We need to encourage local production of rice; we are doing import substitution. Ofada and Abakaliki rice can compete with Thailand rice. We will improve on the quality,” Adesina said.

The minister also said that the Federal Government had decided to decentralise agriculture administration by allowing the states to take charge in order to accelerate the growth of the sector as a viable alternative to oil.

He said that the decision to hands off the procurement and distribution of fertilisers and seeds was to drive sanity into the system and allow the private sector to do the business for the benefit of farmers and the nation.

Adesina said, “We are bringing back market corporations,” adding that government had secured low interest loans for the private sector to run mills and take active part in other agricultural related businesses.

Ofcourse, what do you expect when farmers runaway from farms in pursuit of oil money

The OP is a Ghanian

He tot the news was a way of slicing our country's image but as I read it, it sounds funny..

The thing is:

1. Yes, Nigeria imports food..
2. We also export to other european countries..

But..

3. Ghana doesn't import much food (I guess)

Yet...

4. They are so broke they are closing down embassies

They are so broke, the light wey no reach them, dem wan begin to sell to make money..

it's like selling your properties to make ends meet..

Now, OP, dnt insult me o because someone said a typical ghanian is so black and aggressive that all they knw is no give you insults as replies..

With the kind of fertile soil we have for growing crops it is a shame on this country and FG that we are still importing food from oder countries. Even counties that don't have the kind of fertile soil we have don't import food like us.

Stupid brainless ghanian op, why don't you concentrate on ghana and leave Nigeria for Nigerians. Does ghana produce all its own food?