Nigeria will be self-sufficient in rice production in 18 months – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration would make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production within 18 months.
President Buhari, who was speaking at the Ramadan breaking of fast with members of the business community in the country, said already 13 states of the federation had been identified for the production of rice.

He said the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, had already been briefed on how best to achieve this target. President Buhari, who frowned at the way and manner the nation’s scarce resources were wasted on importation of food items by the previous regimes, said the nation had no option than to concentrate more on agriculture and solid mineral activities.

 The President also frowned at what he described as ``the ruthless devaluation of naira’’, saying that he was yet to be convinced on the economic benefits of the exercise. In his remarks on behalf of the business community, Mr Kola Jamodu, expressed the readiness of the private sector to partner with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in addressing the economic challenges facing the country. He expressed the business community appreciation to the president for inviting them for the breaking of fast dinner.