Don’t Lift Ban On Rice Importation, Ortom Appeals To Buhari

Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, says the ban placed on rice importation by President Muhammadu Buhari has had huge positive impact on local farmers.

Speaking in Makurdi, the state capital, on Monday, the appeal appeal to the president not to reverse the embargo.

He implored Buhari not to succumb to pressure of lifting the ban despite the country’s slide into recession.

He added that the sector has now improved youth employment and also created wealth for local farmers.

“The ban on rice importation remains a major milestone in the development of agriculture in Benue. We want to appeal to the federal government to continue with the policy,” Ortom said.

“There might be hardship for a little while but farmers are smiling to their banks now compared to what used to happen. I have been into farming since 1984 and I am a living witness to this development.

“Before now, when we cultivate rice, we were not able to sell even the cost of production but today things have changed. Just harvest, the market is already there.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) restricted forex for rice importation after the 2016 recession to encourage local production.

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