Lawmakers in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Wednesday, passed a bill seeking to establish the National Rice Development Council, following the consideration of the reports of the Committees on Agriculture and Rural Development.
Specifically, when established, the Rice Council would save Nigeria about $2 billion on rice importation and improve the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Chairman of the Committee, Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West), in his presentation, said the bill seeks to establish a Council that would lead to a comprehensive development of the rice sector and the organisation of rice stakeholders to enhance local production of rice in Nigeria.
He explained that the establishment of the Council would transform the activities of rice farmers, rice processors, millers, researchers, marketers and other important stakeholders across the entire rice value chain, particularly the clusters of smallholder rice farmers and small scale millers spread all over the country.
Adamu noted that through the Council, Nigeria can initiate a comprehensive national rice development roadmap for self-sufficiency in production, export purposes, employment generation and economic growth.
He said: “The Nigerian rice industry exists in the abstract as there appears to be no form of coordination in the absence of a properly structured rallying point.
“Today, we have Paddy Rice Dealers Association of Nigeria (PRIDAN), Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN), Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN), and many more.
“This Bill seeks to establish that rallying point and a comprehensive national operational and governance structure for a complete rice value chain process.”
Furthermore, he said the Bill will improve the government’s efforts for an efficient policy and regulatory framework for the Nigerian rice industry and promote enabling business and investment environments for all stakeholders.
Also, he said it would support the growth of the local rice industry and in the sub-region as well as promote the sustainability of foreign exchange earnings put at about $2 billion annually for rice related importation into the country.
Adamu continued: “The framework created by this Bill will pull investment into rice production, provide the missing link between rice production and industrialization, provide employment, reduce migration from rural to urban cities, and enhance socio-economic activities all over the country.
“Few countries having a Rice Council include Rice Council of Tanzania, USA Rice Council, Directorate of Rice Development (India), Rice Association of Thailand, among others.”
