FG denies report it plans to import poisonous rice

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government has reacted to the rumour that there were plans to distribute genetically modified rice in Nigeria.There were reports that he government after stopping the importation of rice was planning to bring in poisonous rice in conjunction with Dangote.In a statement by Femi Adesina who is the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, the government denied the rumour and explained that the agreement with Dangote was actually signed during administration of Goodluck Jonathan in 2014and in 2016, Dangote“cultivated over 8,000 hectares in Hadejia, Jigawa state, creating over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for farmers who are the major beneficiaries of the scheme.”