Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, has told newsmen that the state will begin to export rice some time next year.

Lalong said this while fielding questions from State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, shortly after meeting President Muhammadu Buhari.

The governor said Plateau was competing with Kebbi in rice production, adding that this would boost the economy in the long run.

“Plateau and Kebbi are now competing in rice production and by next year, we will start exporting rice from Plateau,” he said.

He added, “The President is always excited when you talk about agriculture, and the President developed a special interest in Plateau and other states that are already diversifying from oil to agriculture.

“In my state, we have put a lot of efforts into agriculture; so, I came to give him an update on what we are doing and also seeking an intervention in the area of solid minerals.”

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Lalong: Plateau to begin rice export in 2017