An Enugu-based commercial rice farmer, Mr. Ekene Uzodinma has dismissed the claim by some individuals that Nigeria has limited rice to go round the citizens, saying people should stop the panic buying ahead of the festivities celebration.
Uzodinma, the Manager of the Excellent Integrated Farms Ltd, made this claim while having an interactive session with the correspondence of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu today.
The Manager revealed that Nigeria has enough rice that could last for the next two years even if everybody decided to eat rice. Having that in mind is enough to deter people from panic buying.
He urged those engaged in the act to stop it otherwise they will unnecessary push the price upwards.
In his statement, “Some Nigerians are already misled by social media messages that the border closure will lead to scarcity and high cost of rice.
He said the claim is not true because there is enough rice (local one) for all Nigerians to buy, and it is enough to take us in the next two years, Uzodinma added.
The Manager revealed that some families who normally use to buy a bag of rice are busy ordering for ten bags which is unusual.
He advised the public to buy rice as normal as they were buying, this will ensure availability. He frowned at those who have become rice merchants’ overnight with the mind that they will sell it during the yuletide.
Uzodinma said that rice merchants and middlemen had been busy going into the hinterlands with trailers, buying and transporting local rice to Lagos and other big cities.
He said they will be disgraced to see that the price of rice will remain stable.
He called on the youths to take advantage of the recent development and cash in the opportunities and profits in the agricultural sector.
