Group promotes rice farming, sensitise 700 kids in Lagos

The Foursquare Gospel Church in Yaba, Lagos and the Policy Adviser for Competitive Rice Initiative (CARI)/ John Kufuor Foundation, Mr Sagoe Joe have organised a sensitisation programme tagged ‘Celebrating Nigeria Rice’ to promote farming.

At the programme where 700 children participated, Mr Sagoe said it was to enlighten Nigerians on the quality and availability of Nigeria rice through children who will carry the news to their parents.

“While at CARI, we understand the need to significantly improve the livelihood of rice farmers by finding for them patronages that can sustain them in the business, we also understand the need to involve the children whom we believe constitute a larger percentage of Nigerians who eat rice and rice-related products,” he said.

The National Deputy President, Rice Farmer Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Segun Atho said unknown to many, rice being produced in Nigeria are fresh and delicious unlike some of those being exported into the country which he described as “expired products”.

The Head of Ministry, Children Chapel of the church, Mrs Adesola Osibona said the campaign will help the children take the sensitisation messages to their peers.

One of the children, Taiwo Ogunseye said the local rice cooked and circulated to them at the event tasted great. She said her parents for the past months have only been cooking LAKE rice, a locally produced rice by the Lagos and Kebbi State governments.