The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria has raised concerns over low production output despite increasing demand, citing inconsistencies among farmers as a key factor.
RIFAN Lagos State Chairman, Mr. Raphael Hunsa, made this disclosure duringn an interview on Sunday in Lagos, according to NAN.
He stated that despite support and interventions from the state government, some local farmers remained inconsistent in rice cultivation.
Hunsa stated that while rice production in Lagos has been stable for some time, it remains insufficient to meet the growing demand.
However, he acknowledged that production remains insufficient to meet the increasing demand.
“Our production capacity is quite low. Last year, we managed to produce only 3,800 tonnes of rice, which falls far short of the market demand.
“The Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems has been of great help to the sector through various interventions.
“However, there is a limit to how much the government can help if farmers are not consistent in tending to their farms. If the government is helping local rice farmers, they must utilize the aid by making sure they are consistent in cultivation,” Hunsa said.
He further disclosed that many farmers have yet to cultivate their farms this year.
He urged members to maintain consistency in cultivation to boost production and meet growing demand. He also advised the government to route farmer empowerment initiatives through association leaders to ensure interventions reach the right beneficiaries.
“We, however, urge the government not to relent in supporting local farmers in order to achieve food security and increase production output,” Hunsa added.
Meanwhile, The Deputy Chairman of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Shakin Agbayewa, attributed the sector’s low production output to the impact of climate change.
“Local rice farmers are not producing enough due to a lot of factors. Foremost is the climate change is the problem, the weather is so hot and not all farmers have access to irrigation,” he said.
