As Christmas approaches, the usual high demand for some commodities, particularly rice, is on the increase.
This popular staple food is singled out because apart from individuals who buy for domestic consumption, groups, including cooperative societies, churches, government offices, among others, procure bags of rice in large quantities for their members and for staff.
Imported rice had been the choice of many Nigerians who looked down on home grown rice until recently when the federal government banned the importation of the commodity to encourage local consumption and diversify the economy beyond oil.
Local farmers have braced up to the challenge, striving to not just produce rice in appreciable quantities, but also to package it in a manner comparable to the imported brands.
A dealer in Asaba, Delta state. Chief Uju Udeme, who runs a warehouse at the Abraka market axis of the capital city, says Nigeria Own Grown Rice is the best, as it is fresh and tasty, as against the imported brands whose Best Before Dates when expired could be changed to look recent by the importers.
Home grown rice, which comes in different brands, now sells for N20,000 for the 50kg bag and N10,000 for 25kg at the warehouse.
Demand for the local is still low, and Chief Udeme said changing to the new order would be a gradual but steady process which would be of great benefit to all Nigerians.
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