The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Oyo chapter, has assured Nigerians of their commitment to boost rice production to reduce high cost of the commodity.
Mr Samuel Akande, the RIFAN Chairman, Oyo, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Ibadan saying that the farmers\u2019 target for years was to get quality rice to the table regularly and cheaper than it is presently.
He noted that the association encouraged members to engage in commercial farming of the commodity in good land size in order to achieve its goals.
\u201cIn Oyo state, it is not the non-availability of farmers to plant rice, but the lack facilities.
\u201cWe are still hoping to know what the government may have for us in the area of land, land clearing and tractors, hitherto, it has been the sole responsibility of the farmers here,\u201d he said.
Akande remarked that the RIFAN\/CBN\/Unity bank Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) had been the only sure hope for rice farmers in the state.
He said that all relevant inputs required by smallholder farmers were included in the ABP package, based on the assumed capacity of the farmer.
\u201cAll over Nigeria, rice pyramids are coming back on a serious note, RIFAN has been selling rice paddy to millers with the intention to bring the price of rice down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n