By: TUNDE BOLAJI -MINNA.
Niger State government has entered into a partnership with AfricaRice as a practical demonstration to boosts rice production in the state.
This collaboration aims to transform the state’s rice production capacity, as a delegation from AfricaRice recently visited Minna to assess the state’s readiness for this partnership.
The agreement, signed in July, sets an ambitious target to increase Niger State’s annual paddy rice output from 1.5 million metric tons to an impressive 10 million metric tons by the year 2030.
The initiative will focus on developing and adopting climate-smart rice production and processing technologies, alongside innovative agricultural practices tailored to the state’s agro-ecological conditions over the next five years.
The delegation was received by the “farmer governor” at the Council Chamber of Government House in Minna.
The governor emphasized the potential of AfricaRice as a significant source of inspiration and highlighted the state’s agricultural strengths, particularly in rice cultivation.
He expressed his unwavering commitment to harnessing this potential to enhance production levels.
The governor confidently predicted that this partnership would substantially boost Niger State’s rice output, aiming to reduce rice imports by approximately 70%.
This initiative is expected to create jobs, increase revenue, and improve the socio-economic conditions of the state’s residents.
In his remarks, the Director General of the AfricaRice center, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, praised the agricultural investments made by the Niger State government.
He noted that the commitment and political will shown by the farmer governor indicate that AfricaRice is well-positioned to turn the state’s ambitions for rice production into tangible results.
Dr. Manneh also assured that AfricaRice would leverage its expertise throughout the rice transformation process, from seedling development to planting systems and extension services for farmers, with the ultimate goal of achieving rice self-sufficiency and sustainability.