The Federal Government has praised farmers all over the country for their contribution toward getting the country out of recession.
Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, made this statement.
Ogbeh however begged farmers, middlemen and traders to avoid indiscriminate increase in the price of food items.
“I also want to thank Nigerians, especially the farmers (big and small), who have yielded the call of Mr President to return to the farms. They have done amazing things.
“And if there are any new zeros in this country, they are the ones who contributed. I am also happy for them because they are now making money. For a long time, they didn’t make money which is why many of us ran away from agriculture.
“Few days ago, I appealed to middlemen and transporters to try and help us out because I have seen tactical examples of why food prices are so high.
“I am sorry that the food prices are still high but I am appealing to farmers and middlemen, let all of us enjoy the surplus so that no sector will put pressure on the other.
“We have tried in two years but we have to work even harder and keep moving because the danger is still ahead.
“We have to increase agriculture, export, processing and value addition and reduce imports,’’ the minister said.
“In 2015, one tonne of rice was sold for N65, 000 but in 2016, it was sold for N150, 000.
“The millers said that as long as they were buying a tonne of paddy for N150, 000, they could not sell a bag of rice for less than N17, 000 after milling.
“I am begging the farmers to be reasonable. I can’t force them,’’ he said.
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