RIFAN says there will be availability of local rice and explains why foreign rice smuggling persists

The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has established that there are enough locally processed rice to meet domestic demand during this Yuletide season.

This is as the association has pointed out that smugglers of foreign rice were having a field day due to the growing demands for their products at the detriment of local rice.

According to NAN, this was made known by the National Deputy President of RIFAN, Mr Segun Atho, during an interview on Friday in Lagos.

Atho, during the interview, blamed the marketers of foreign rice for allegedly sabotaging the growth of the sector as well as urged the local marketers to stop boycotting or hoarding local rice.

He said, “We can affirm that we have locally processed rice available all over Nigeria for the Yuletide. We have more than enough to meet any demand; we have enough to go round.

“As it is, we are still looking for more distributors for our locally processed rice, because Nigerians still have a hang for foreign rice. Our local marketers are also not helping the situation because they are not ready to off take locally grown rice.

“The marketers should stop hoarding or boycotting local rice for their own benefits. If you sell Nigerian rice, you can still make good returns on your investments.’’