A member of Osun State House of Assembly, representing Obokun state Constituency Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has commended Federal Government for approving N 60billion subsidy for rice industry in the country.
Hon. Oyintiloye gave the commendation during an interview with the newsmen, on Monday, in Osogbo.
The lawmaker said with the subsidy, local rice production would receive a boost and its importation would be minimised.
It will be recalled that Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, after the National Security, on Friday, disclosed that Federal Government had approved N60 billion to support the rice industry in the country.
Oyintiloye, who also double as the house Committee Chairman on Information and Strategy, said with the subsidy, local rice farmers would be empowered and rice farming would be supported.
The lawmaker, pointed that the measure would go a long way to address the problem of food security and nutrition.
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Hon. 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 attain food sufficiency
He said with the planned subsidy, more attention would be given to local rice production
However, he urged Federal Government to ensure prompt release of the fund so that rice farmers could take advantage of it.
“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 rice exportation country rather than importation”, Oyintiloye said.