Liberia has revealed plans to partner with Jigawa State, Nigeria, in a strategic move to boost rice farming, reduce import dependence, and strengthen food security in the West African region.

The collaboration was revealed during a courtesy visit by Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, David Akoi, to Governor Malam Umar Namadi at the Government House in Dutse on Tuesday evening.

Mr Akoi expressed Liberia’s eagerness to learn from Jigawa’s successful rice production model, noting that rice is consumed in Liberia up to four times daily but that the country still imports about 70% of its needs.

 “The Liberian government is determined to change this narrative and produce at least 70% of its consumption needs,” he said.

He added that Liberia’s president had specifically sent him to Jigawa to study its rice value chain and replicate its achievements back home. 

Citing Liberia’s historical rice riots of 1979, which contributed to the fall of President William R. Tolbert, Akoi underscored the political and economic significance of rice in the nation.

Governor Namadi, in response, commended Liberia’s decision to visit Jigawa, highlighting the state’s agricultural progress. 

Jigawa has expanded its rice farming area from 60,000–70,000 hectares in 2023 to over 200,000 hectares in 2024, with a target of 300,000 hectares this year and the ambitious goal of producing 50% of Nigeria’s rice by 2030.

The Governor credited irrigation farming for the state’s success, pointing to the rehabilitation of existing irrigation dams, which have boosted production by 4,500 hectares. 

He also noted significant investments in farm machinery, including 300 tractors, 60 combined harvesters, and 150 planters, with each of the state’s 30 constituencies equipped with at least 10 tractors for subsidised hire by smallholder farmers.

Source: Punch