The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has reiterated its commitment to partnering with the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) to strengthen Nigeria’s rice value chain, to make it more competitive, resilient, and sustainable.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Rice Sector Review meeting held recently in Abuja with the theme “Reviewing Progress, Mobilising Partnership”, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, represented by Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun, highlighted the remarkable progress made in rice production across the country.
“Yields have improved significantly through the adoption of better agronomic practices and improved seed varieties,” Mr. Olanipekun said.
He added that processing capacity has expanded and the participation of youth and women in the rice value chain is soaring, reflecting milestones that should be celebrated and sustained.
The meeting provided stakeholders with an opportunity to review progress under the National Rice Development Strategy II (2020–2030) and explore ways to mobilise partnerships and investment to transform Nigeria’s rice sector into a globally competitive industry.
Dr. Ogunbiyi emphasised that technical and financial support could unlock the sector’s full potential, creating jobs, reducing import dependency, ensuring food and nutrition security, and contributing to Africa’s broader agricultural transformation agenda under CARD.
He identified key areas ripe for investment, including the adoption of mechanisation and climate-smart technologies to increase productivity per hectare, the Establishment of modern processing and milling facilities to meet global rice standards and the promotion of climate-smart rice production systems to strengthen resilience against environmental shocks.
The Permanent Secretary called on all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to advancing Nigeria’s rice agenda and scaling it across Africa under CARD’s framework.
In his remarks, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, emphasised that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to drive economic growth.
“Our objective is to support local production and empower producers and processors to compete globally,” he said.
Meanwhile, CARD Regional Adviser Mr. Mike Nasamu underscored rice as a key staple in Nigeria and stressed that the review meeting would guide the creation of a more sustainable and resilient food system.
The meeting brought together representatives from CARD, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Africa Rice, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and other stakeholders committed to transforming Nigeria’s rice sector.
Source: Champion News
Credit Image: Independent News
