The General Manager of Olam Rice Farm, Reji George, has criticized the ban on imported rice by Federal Government saying the country was not ripe for the policy.
George said he acknowledges the Federal Government’s effort of doing a lot in transforming the agricultural sector but criticised the ban because local production cannot sustain local demand.
He maintained that the country is just advancing towards self-dependence in rice production and may not do without importation for now.
“I believe it should be a gradual process, before you ban importation of rice or any agricultural commodity, you must have to develop the local strength of production,” George.
Olam, he said, has invested millions of dollars in rice and mills projects, and plans further investment to boost capacity.
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