Ebun Francis || A bag of 50kg rice will be sold for N6000 only in the next few weeks according to Aminu Goronyo, the National President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria.
Goronyo who made the statement on the sidelines of the meeting between rice farmers, processors and the Minister of Agriculture on Wednesday in Abuja said the expected crash in the price of rice is as a result of the wet season bumper harvest by farmers.
He said that everyone involved in the rice chain production has resolved to reduce the price of a 50kg bag of rice currently selling at between N15000-N17000 to N13000.
Aroyo said, ”This is just the beginning. The actual price will still come down because we are expecting a bumper harvest this year; we have sat down with the millers and agreed that we will work together for the interest of Nigerians,” he said.
“At one time, people were buying a bag of rice at the cost of N18,000 but they are now buying it at between N13,000 and N15,000. The price is coming down.
“In the next few months, God willing, the price of a 50kg bag of rice will come down to N6,000. It is achievable, it will be a reality.’’
The chairman of rice processors association of Nigeria, Abubakar Mohammed on his part said his association has signed a memorandum of association to reduce the price of processed and paddy rice.
“We have agreed at N110,000 per tonne of paddy. In the market, rice will come around N13,000 to N13,500 per 50kg bag.”
“Before now, we were buying paddy at N140,000 and N150,000 per tonne and we are selling our rice at N16,000 per 50kg bag.
“If this MoU works, we hope to sell a bag of rice at N13, 000 to N13, 500, depending on where you are in the country.”
The minister of agriculture, Audu Ogbe in his response, commended the patriotic decision of the farmers and processors to slash the price of rice.
He assured them the government is aware of the risk posed by rice smugglers and assured the issue is being addressed by relevant agencies.
Ogbe said, “Let me express the appreciation of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to both farmers and millers because nobody can calculate what you have done to rescue our country that was very close to disaster.”
“What you have done is going to save us from a lot of difficulties. What we want to promise you is that we will help you ease the burden of rice farming.
“Last year, we procured 80,000 threshers; this year, we will procure another 2,500 threshers and we are bringing in small reapers for distribution to rice farmers.
“The equipment will enable them to cut the rice, thresh it, winnow it and put it in sacks; It will take away all the stress which makes rice farming very difficult so that you can keep to the price of N110, 000 per tonne of paddy that we agreed.
“If we are able to keep these prices stable and we are able to contain smuggling, I hope you will keep us informed when there are any challenges confronting you because no country can claim to be strong if its citizens are hungry.
“Let everybody know that the price of rice for this Christmas will be good enough for us to eat rice, chicken, and fish.”