House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Agricultural Production and Services to investigate the collapse of local rice farming and rice mills across Nigeria.
This followed the adoption of a motion by a member representing Yobe State, Hon. Muhammad Buba Jajere, during plenary.
Presenting the motion, Jajere expressed concern that if urgent action is not taken, the country could lose billions of naira and thousands of jobs due to the closure of several rice mills nationwide.
He noted that the policies of former President Muhammadu Buhari led to the establishment of rice mills across the country, thereby promoting large-scale farming, creating employment for millions of citizens, discouraging rice importation, and improving the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The mover of the motion also expressed concern that the 180-day import duty waiver granted by the Federal Government for the importation of husked brown rice and other food items has severely affected local producers, leaving farmers with unsold products and forcing many rice mills to shut down.
While adopting the motion, the house has given the committee on Agricultural Production and Services a period of four weeks to investigate the matter and report back to the chamber for further legislative action.
COV /TSIBIRI
