Aregbesola Decries N2.1 trillion Annual Expenses on Rice Importation

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has appealed to Nigerians to patronise local rice to boost the local production and enhance the country’s economy.

Aregbesola on Wednesday while unveiling the ‘Ofada Osun Rice at Onilapa Rice Settlement in Ogbaagbaa,  Olaoluwa local government area of Osun State.

Aregbesola unveiling the ‘Ofada Osun Rice at Onilapa Village.

Interacting with the rice farmers, Aregbesola said his government was determined to partner with the local farmers for mass production of rice for the country to be self sufficient in the food Security.

He lamented the staggering huge amount of money the nation wasted annually on the importation of rice, describing it as pathetic.

Aregbesola said it is a bad experience that a whopping N2.1trillion – one third of Nigeria’s annual income- is recorded against rice importation.

The Governor stated that it is a pity that Nigerians have relied too much on imported rice at the detriment of the Nigerian brand; a development he described as destroying the Nigerian economy.

He asserted that if more Nigerians, especially the youths go into rice farming, the nation will easily stop relying on crude oil as the only means of income.

Aregbesola who called on the farmers at the rice settlement and other indigenes of the state to pay their tax said this will enable the government to assist the people.

Speaking on the issue of Fulani herdsmenn who graze farmlands with their cattle, Aregbesola explained that a censor of all the cattle in the state will be done so that government will know how to provide feed for the cattle to avoid clashes with farmers.

He added that henceforth, every Fulani herdsmen entering the state will be made to register with the state government before being allowed to reside in the state.

In an address, the immediate past Special Assistant to the Governor on Quick Impact Intervention Programme QIIP, Mr Dele Ogundipe explained that the administration of  Aregbesola had spent over 17.6million naira on the clearing of the Onilapa rice farm for farmers.

He said government has also made provision of water for the farmers through the approval of 10 borehole projects for the settlement.

In a remark, the Chairman of the Osun Rice Farmers Cooperative, Mr Ishola Oyewole commended the government of Osun for assisting rice farmers in the state through the QIIP Programme.

He said with the help of the state government, rice farmers in the state are now able to produce about 3.5metric tons which according to him is an improvement from the previous 1.5metric tons.

In their Seprate remarks, the Chairman of the government committee on the Harmonious Relationship between Farmers and Cattle Herdsmen in the state, Hon. Mudashiru Toogun and the Seriki Fulani in the state, Alhaji Toyin Rahman both identified the menace of Fulani herdsmen in the country as second to the Boko-Haram.

They however commended the proactive efforts of Aregbesola for taking steps to forestall peace and harmony between Farmers and Cattle Herdsmen in the state.

Earlier in a welcome address, the immediate past commissioner for Agric, Food Security and Youth Engagement in the state, Mr Wale Adedoyin stated that the Governor decided on the meeting with farmers at their farms in bid to show support and encourage the farmers.