The local production of Rice has increased from about 5.4 million metric tons in 2015 to over 9 million metric tons in 2021.
President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed while speaking at the unveiling the Abuja rice pyramid on Tuesday.
This hints at a potential significant decrease in the prices of rice in Nigerian markets.
The President has further explained that with the production expansions Nigeria has emerged the largest rice producer in Africa.
Buhari said “Before my administration launched the ABP, there were only 15 standard rice mills in Nigeria. As at today, we have over 50 standard and integrated rice mills in Nigeria, creating jobs and reducing unemployment in Nigeria. We expect additional significant output when the two new mills are established in Lagos and Katsina. I am also aware that, because of the large margins in this business, more people are showing interest in investing in our agribusiness”.
The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) had also earlier disclosed that Nigeria will kick-off rice exportation soon.
Ado Hassan, the Secretary of the Kano State chapter of RIFAN, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) explained that this will aid food security and economic diversification.
“For the fact that Nigeria has not imported even a grain of rice in the last four years is enough prove that we are already self sufficient in the commodity. The cultivation of rice is a reality and it will continue to happen,” he said.
