In a bid to boost the production of rice and wheat, the Federal government on Tuesday inaugurated a national task force.
Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, who president over the event said the establishment of a National Rice and Wheat Task Force was to set up targets that would yield comprehensible and self-evident results in rice and wheat production in the country.
According to him, “Agriculture is our main stay and we are trying to evolve a strategy for our economy, a strategy for employment and a strategy for feeding our people.
Osinbajo added that rice and wheat is the government’s main focus as it hope to show the world how serious we are.
The six-point term of reference outlined for the task force include,
“i. to set up production targets for rice and wheat in the participating states;
“ii. to determine the scope and particulars for government support needed towards the attainment of the set targets;
“iii. to consider and proffer the best off-take and marketing arrangements that will encourage maximum effort among the farmers/millers;
“iv. to determine the rice and wheat value chain deficiencies and recommend solutions for addressing them;
“v. to mobilize farmers and millers in identified target states to engage the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and other available support facilities;
“vi. to establish timelines for the delivery of goals set by the Task force
The members of the task force include Governors of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar A. Bagugu, Dr. A. U. Ganduje of Kano State, and Engr. David Umahi of Ebonyi State. Others are the Minister of State for Agriculture Lokpobiri Heineken, the President of Rice Farmers Association Mallam Aminu Goronyo and the President Wheat Farmers Association Saliu Mohammed.
