However, statistics by a global trade portal Index Mundi revealed that the country imported 1.8million tonnes or 28 percent of local consumption last year, while local production of the grain dropped by 6.25 percent from 5.04million tonnes to 4.7million tonnes in the period.

The government has been making substantial efforts for a decade to encourage rice cultivation in order to eliminate imports through subsidised loans, cheap fertiliser, free farmland and tax rebates.

Also, the Federal Government had made moves to attract N250 billion investments in rice production following plans to establish an additional 14 rice mills in the country.

However, efforts to boost domestic production have been curtailed by smuggling through the porous borders.

Between January and April 2021, the Federal Operation Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos seized 41,652 bags of 50kilogrammes smuggled parboiled rice from Idiroko and  Ipokia in Ogun State and Lagos.

Also in Ogun State, 20,538 bags of rice were intercepted by the service between March and April 2021.

Last year, the Federal Government and the Republic of Benin entered into an agreement in Abuja to end the smuggling of rice.

The agreement was sealed between a delegation from Benin, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) and the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari.

It was gathered that 80 percent of the smuggled grain was imported through Benin as Thailand price stood at $507 per tonne.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Maifata has said that smuggling of foreign rice would soon come down to zero levels, while the local rice would fill the gap conveniently if farmers received the necessary support from the government.

He however urged all stakeholders to join in the campaign against the activities of smugglers through advocacy and sensitisation to ensure attitudinal change on the part of the outlaws.