Standard Times (Freetown)
Saidu Kamara
19 May 2004
Hon. Alhaji Alpha Kanu, Member of Parliament representing Port Loko District has said in parliament that the banning of rice importation involving huge amounts of foreign exchange will facilitate greater governmental assistance to our local farmers, especially with regards to rice production.
The MP was speaking in support of a government motion tabled on Tuesday last week by the Minister of Finance, Mr. J. B. Dauda.
In his contribution, Hon. Alhaji Alpha Kanu of the APC party praised the efforts of Sierra Leonean rice researcher, Dr. Monty Jones in the United States, and the International Community for recognizing his contribution towards food self sufficiency in Africa.
Dr. Monty Jones was a senior rice researcher at Rokupr Rice Research Station in Kambia before he went to the United States, where he won the award for his production of the 'New Rice for Africa' (NERICA) that is currently being distributed in the Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
He said, he supported the government's motion for the promotion of our local industries with his call for the immediate banning of the importation of rice so that the money saved will be used to support local farmers boast their rice production.
He disclosed that government spends US$40m annually on rice importation, and noted that it is only the Chinese who are profiting because they are the major suppliers.
He therefore appealed to Sierra Leoneans to fully engage in rice production so that we can feed ourselves and import some to other countries as it used to be in the recent past.
He noted that Sierra Leone has all the elements for a profitable venture in rice farming as the country is blessed with fertile land.
He therefore appealed to the government to support the local farmers so that they can help reduce our dependence on imported rice.
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