The Benue state government says it is contributing 1.5 million metric tons of rice, to reduce the national rice consumption deficit of 4.3 million metric tons.

This is an indication that the partnership with the International Fund for Agriculture Development is yielding great value.

Governor Samuel Ortom disclosed this to journalists in Guma local council, during the flag off of the harvesting season, where he declared every Friday a work-free day till January 2017.

The move, according to the Governor, who was in company of officials from IFAD, is to meet the national food supply needs, ahead of the full ban on importation of rice in 2017 by the Federal government.

Experts believe states with agricultural potential must take advantage of this window to avert the impending food crisis, considering the planned ban on rice importation beginning from January 2017. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Gov. Ortom.