Mr Roland Brown, the Chairman of the Rivers chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has applauded the Federal Government’s plans to distribute 200 rice milling machines to rice farmers.

Brown told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the policy was a welcome development, as it would significantly boost rice production in the country.

He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the even distribution of the milling machines to rice farmers across the nation.

“The distribution should be even without any political considerations; there should be at least one rice milling machine in every senatorial district of the country; we can start with one mill per senatorial zone for now.

“The Rivers Government should equally assist farmers, especially rice farmers in the state, by procuring milling machines in order to boost rice production and ensure self-sufficiency in rice production.

“At present, there are no functional rice milling machines in Rivers,” he said.

Brown said that there were no privately owned rice milling facilities in the state and urged affluent entrepreneurs to invest in rice milling ventures.