Challenges to Nigeria's Rice Revolution
- Apr 30, 2017
- 2 min read
Despite consuming about seven million metric tons (MT) of rice yearly, Nigeria produces a meagre 2.7 million MT. This leaves a supply gap of 4.3 million MT to imports, which cost the Federal Government an estimated N360 billion yearly. This figure is expected to rise as consumption is projected to hit 35 million MT due to population growth. Sadly, Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in rice production has continued to be hampered by issues around quality, price instability, and harvesting/processing challenges, among others. Daniel Essiet examines the forces against Nigeria’s rice revolution.
With 45,000 hectares of rice farm, the Chief Executive, T.W. Heritage, owners of Kereksuk Rice Farm in Nassarawa State, Mr. Rotimi Williams, is contributing his quota to the Federal Government’s target of achieving self-sufficiency in rice production and consumption. His farm produces about 8, 000 metric tonnes of rice paddy yearly, which he sells to major milling firms across the country.
An agri-business Specialist with Agribusiness Supplier Development Programme (ASDP) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Dr. Nelson Abila, said his organisation was working with some development partners to build the capacity of rice stakeholders throughout the value chain, from farmers to millers and parboilers.
By helping actors along the value chain add value to rice, Abila said the project is helping raise income, improve rice quality, and expand the market for locally produced rice.
According to him, Nigeria has the potential to become a big rice granary in Africa with advantages of having ample suitable lands and water resources, and good climate.
Similarly, Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) and AfricaRice, in partnership with McGill University, are spearheading an ambitious project on food security in Africa, with a focus on rice post-harvest handling and marketing.
Jeremy Weate
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