[Mhiz Rebecca]

Most residents in Enugu State have shifted
patronage to locally produced rice, popularly
called `Abakaliki rice’, as alternative staple food.
A correspondent of NAN, who visited major
markets in Enugu metropolis on Saturday,
observed that the de-stoned brand of the local
rice had flooded grain selling shops.
The `Abakaliki rice’ now sells for between
N12,000 and N14,000 per 50kg bag depending on
variety; as against the foreign rice which is sold
between N20,000 and N23,000 per 50kg bag.
The markets visited included Gariki, Ogbete,
Mayor, Artisan, Kayetta and New Markets as well
as some departmental stores in the metropolis.
NAN also observed that most rice retailers and
hawkers who sell in cups and bushels, are
currently stocking only the local rice.
Mrs Eunice Madu, a grain seller in Mayor Market,
said that almost all the stocked local rice bags had
been bought during the yuletide leaving out the
foreign rice in the shop.
“I must confess we sold out almost all our
available bag of `Abakaliki rice’ during the
yuletide as most people turned to it due to its
improved processing and de-stoning qualities.
“Also, it has lower price; with a margin of about
N10,000 difference from the foreign rice,’’ she
said.
Mr Chukwuebuka Okoye, a rice retailer, said that
the local rice had made it possible for many
families to still eat the staple food.
“At least with N70 you can get a cup of de-stoned
Abakaliki rice as against N120 for a cup of foreign
rice.
“So, we are getting huge daily patronage on the
local de-stoned rice,’’ Okoye said.
Another resident, Mr Okechukwu Ugwu, said that
the ban of rice and policy thrust on massive rice
cultivation is in the right direction.
Ugwu noted that apart from saving scarce foreign
exchange; cultivating rice leads to increase in
productive activities and creating jobs in the
country.
“It has been proven that the local rice is more
nutritious, filling, and tasty; while it can be stored
longer than the foreign rice,’’ he added.