As Nigerians faces imminent food crises, the Federal Government have been urged not to ban importation of rice. This followed the government's earlier announcement, that it would ban importation of rice, and the current shortage of the commodity.

The price of rice which has become staple food for many Nigerians have sky rocketed lately, an occurrence which majority of the dealers attributed to bad government policy and amount they pay as tariff before the commodity is allowed into the country.

A 50 Kilogramme bag now sells as much as N9,000 by most of the dealers, while the retailers offered them for N9,500.

Some concerned Nigerians charged the government to shelf it proposed ban "and if not, in less than two weeks, rice will become the menu for the rich alone and the crises it will generate is better imagine than experienced."

A consumer, Alhaja Afusat Adetona said, "Given the current globalization trend and an increasingly competitive world economy, Nigeria is now facing strategic choices in foreign rice importation and local production.

"There is reason for government to encourage local rice farmers now, because there is a high level of rice consumption in the country."

Another consumer, Mr. Maruf Animasahun said, "Our leaders must take agriculture very seriously. The amount Nigerians are now buying a bag of rice is highly provoking despite the nation's huge investment in agriculture.

"Nigerians don't have any replacement for rice. Therefore, the availability of the product in many homes is very important to avert a serious food crisis."

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has entered into an agreement with Vaswanni Group and the Thai Government, to grow rice locally, a pro-active step to avert the impending rice shortage in the country.

A source in the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources said the agreement would put paid to the anxieties associated with global scarcity of food item, which has become a recurring decimal in the global market.

"The involvement of the Vaswanni Group in the local production of rice in Nigeria will be a boost for the country" the source said.