By Peter Uwumarogie
Gombe, Dec. 29, 2020 Dr Philip Idinoba, a rice commodity specialist with AfricaRice has raised concerns over increasing populating that is eroding the Federal Government effort toward boosting rice production.
Idinoba expressed the concern in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Tuesday.
He, therefore, said that there is need for more government investment on rice to boost Nigeria’s food security.
According to him, the government is doing a lot to boost rice production, being a staple food, but the growing population of the country is eroding such gains.
He said that the rate of urbanisation, which is one of the key drivers of rice consumption in Nigeria, was far higher than the rate at which rice cultivation was being improved.
He said that there is need for more government investment on rice to boost Nigeria’s food security.
According to him, the government is doing a lot to boost rice production, being a staple food, but the growing population of the country is eroding such gains.
He said that the rate of urbanisation, which is one of the key drivers of rice consumption in Nigeria, was far higher than the rate at which rice cultivation was being improved.
“Nigeria still has a long way to go in terms of rice sufficiency.
“We are making efforts every year through the ‘Anchor Borrowers Programme’, special intervention programme and other donor funded projects.