FG extends rice subsidy programme to states

The Federal Government is expanding its subsidised rice programme to alleviate food insecurity in Nigeria, with sales set to launch in Lagos, Kano, and Borno states, a director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security stated on Monday.

Early in September, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced the launch of the N40,000 per 50kg subsidised rice in Abuja, stating that the initiative was part of a broader strategy to ensure that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.

He said the subsidised rice programme aims to provide relief to citizens amid soaring market prices. The current market price of a 50kg bag of rice is about N90,000. It is close to N100,000 in some other locations.

The Federal Government is providing 30,000 metric tonnes of rice through the subsidised rice programme. This translates to approximately 1,000 trucks, each carrying 600 bags.