Lawmaker lauds FG for approving N60b rice subsidy

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a member of Osun House of Assembly, has commended Federal Government for approving N60 billion subsidy for rice farming in the country.
Oyintiloye made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Osogbo.
The lawmaker said with the subsidy, local rice production would receive a boost and its importation would be minimised.
NAN recalls that Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, after the National Security on Friday said that Federal Government had approved N60 billion to support the rice farmers in the country.
Oyintiloye, who is the House Committee Chairman on Information and Strategy, said with the subsidy, local rice farmers would be empowered.
The lawmaker, representing the Obokun State Constituency, pointed out that the measure would go a long way towards addressing the problem of food security and nutrition in the country.
Oyintiloye, who decried high prevalence of importation of food items, expressed the hope that the commitment of the Federal Government to food production would enable Nigeria to attain food sufficiency.
He said that with the approved subsidy, more attention would be given to local rice production.
The lawmaker, however, urged Federal Government to ensure prompt release of the fund so that rice farmers could take advantage of it.
Oyintiloye said: “I want to commend for this initiative of rice subsidy. It will go a long way at improving local rice production in the country.
“With this subsidy, I believe we are gradually working towards being a rice exporting country rather than importing.”