(Ecofin Agency) - The Federal Government of Nigeria has acquired 110 rice milling machines to be installed in different parts of the country to boost rice production, according to Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President.

“To support the growing rice industry, the Federal Government just acquired 110 rice milling machines which will be installed in different parts of the country between now and July,” he said on his facebook page.

This is aimed at diversifying the economy “This over-reliance on oil has killed this country and we cannot continue like this. So, the diversification of the economy means more money will be in the hands of ordinary Nigerians.”

Nigeria is one of the world’s largest importers of rice. The country’s demand for rice was at seven million tonnes in November 2016 while the local production was at about 3.5 million tonnes, a deficit of 3.5 million tonnes.

Anita Fatunji