Nigerians now consume what we produce, Buhari commends nation’s farmers for increased production 

By Olaseinde Gbenga

President Muhammadu Buhari has attributed the success recorded by his administration for the agriculture sector is understanding of the country and its people.

A statement by his Spokesman Malam Garba Shehu, revealed that the President disclosed this at the weekend in Daura, Katsina State when elected Local Government Council Chairmen from Katsina State, led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ya’u Gojo-Gojo, paid him Sallah homage.

Buhari noted that he instituted agricultural policies to make Nigeria grow what it eats and eat what it grows, lauding the nation’s farmers for increased production of rice and other food commodities.

According to Mr President, his administration had taken various decisions including the closure of land borders for two years to benefit farmers who drive the rural economy, “this has worked well for the nation,” he added. “This is a country that was once dependent on foreign rice. We closed the border to foreign rice. I said why can’t we eat Nigerian rice, and with the policies put in place, Nigerians are eating home grown rice,” the president stressed.

On his part, Gojo-Gojo said the agricultural policies of the Buhari’s administration should be made into law to ensure continuity by future administrations. Also, he commended the President for initiating several measures in transforming agriculture to increase farmers’ income in the past seven years.

Speaking on the strides of the current administration for the agricultural sector, Gojo-Gojo noted that in the past, Katsina people only knew how to eat rice but had no knowledge on how to grow and process it.

“Today Mr. President, rice is grown in all our communities. There are at least 30 small scale rice processing mills in the state. People have embraced animal husbandry and they are making a lot of money,” he said.