Don't Miss


Home   >   Business   >   Industries   >   Economy   >   Nigeria to end Menace of Imported Rice by 2015 – Akinwumi Adesina

Nigeria to end Menace of Imported Rice by 2015 – Akinwumi Adesina

By on March 1, 2012

Sequel to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held yesterday, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of 100 industrial rice mills across the country within the next 12 to 18 months.

The Minister of Agriculture addressing newsmen yesterday stated that this was part and parcel of FG’s plan to achieve self sufficiency in rice by 2015.

According to Adesina, “Those mills will mill 2.1 million metric tonnes of rice Thai grade quality. The problem with the local rice is that in most cases there are issues of stones and broken rice.

“This will allow Nigerians for the first time in history to have the full milling capacity for all the rice they import.

“We believe that in the next 12 to 18 months, you all will be able to go out, you will see the rice mills. You will see farmers organised into groups. This will generate millions of jobs for Nigerians and Nigeria will be able to basically end these menace that we have of continuing been dependent on imported rice.”

The minister also disclosed that a delegation led by the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala had visited China to seek a strategic partnership on rice production.

According to the minister, “China has what is called high breed rice which gives yield of 12 tons per hectare. The Chinese double cross it in a year and get 24 tons per hectare.

“If we can get this hybrid rice in Nigeria to work for us at scale, we will be there. We will assure the food security not just of today but the future.

“We are already testing that high breed rice in Kebbi State and there we are getting 8 tons per hectare and we are still going to test it all across the country.’