FG inaugurates National Task Force on Rice and Wheat Production

The Federal Government has announced the inauguration of the National Task Force on Rice and Wheat Production. 

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, the task force is expected to set targets that will lead to comprehensive and clear results in the production of the two crops.

See the full statement below.

07 June 2016 | OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT PRESS RELEASE

FG SETS UP NATIONAL TASK FORCE ON RICE, WHEAT PRODUCTION
*TARGETS MASSIVE OUTPUT WITHIN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME

The Federal government has established a National Rice and Wheat Task Force to set up targets that will yield comprehensible and self-evident results in rice and wheat production in the country.
“What we are trying to achieve is that 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,” Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, stated today at the Presidential Villa at the inauguration of the Task Force.
Osinbajo said the need to feed our population is the focus of the Buhari administration. “Rice and wheat is our main focus, and making sure that in one year we can show the world that we are serious.”
Emphasizing the need to develop strategies to rejuvenate the whole value chain, he gave the following as terms of reference to the panel;
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.
Responding, the Chairman of the Task Force and Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, thanked the Vice President for the consideration and stated that the disconnect between farmers and millers needs to be addressed. He added that the two bodies in the value chain need to be mobilized for maximum results.
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.

Laolu A lands
Senior Special Assistant-Media & Publicity
In the Office of the Vice President
June 7, 2016