Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has restated commitment to Federal Government drive to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production and food security in spite of the lockdown.
The National President of the association, Aminu Goronyo, stated this in a statement and assured Nigerians that the lockdown occasioned by COVID-19 would not in any way affect rice production and supply in the country.
“We have enough paddy rice produced by our farmers, we launched three of our rice pyramids in Taraba, Kano and Kebbi states.
”This is housing close to 200, 000 bags of rice Paddy, more are still on ground enough to feed our rice milling industries.
“We, therefore, appeal to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to buy the excess paddy from us as part of government food strategy reserves policy,” he said.
Goronyo advised the rice farmers to adhere strictly to all public health directives and regulations provided by the competent authorised agencies.
He also advised farmers to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the disease such precautions include frequent hand washing with soap,
limiting physical contact, observe proper hygiene in processing and packaging food items.
He directed that all members to obey the social distance orders put in place by both federal and state governments and stay indoors as directed.
The president also appealed to members to coordinate with government agencies especially National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and ministries of health in an efforts to curtail the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in the country.
