SOKOTO – A large-scale farmer, Alhaji Nura Attajjiri, has advocated the establishment of rice mills in all the FADAMA areas in the country.
Attajiri told newsmen in Sokoto that “Nigeria is blessed with vast fertile land, which is capable of producing all types of crops, including rice.
“The establishment of such mills by the three tiers of government and other investors will greatly encourage farmers in the country to produce more rice.
“This will also enable them to have high yields, good prices, while the consumers, Nigerians, will have adequate and quality indigenous rice.’’
The farmer with over 30 years experience in rice farming noted that more Nigerians now produce rice because of the supports received from the various tiers of government.
Attajiri, the owner of “Attajiri Rice Mill’’ in Sokoto valued at N40 million, decried the massive importation of rice into Nigeria.
“Nigeria has no business importing rice as God has blessed us with abundant fertile land, human and capital resources.
“Encouraging the local production of rice will also help in reducing capital flight, poverty, unemployment, restiveness, as well as boost the establishment of agro-allied firms,’’ he said.
He further called for the provision of more agricultural loans, fertilisers, implements, extension services and other inputs to the farmers.
“Such gestures should also be highly-depoliticised, while such gestures should only be extended to genuine farmers.
“There is also the need to give top priority to research and development in the agricultural sector,’’ he said.
