The Nation Newspaper

Tag: rice

  • Expect made-in-Ogoja rice by December, says Ayade

    Expect made-in-Ogoja rice by December, says Ayade

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has promised that the ultra-modern rice mill under construction in Ogoja Local Government Area will roll out rice by December.

    Ayade spoke shortly on arrival from his overseas at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, yesterday.

    He said: “Part of my trip itinerary was to inspect the manufacturing process of the rice mill which is the most sophisticated and digitalized facility you can ever find. It is the latest technology in rice processing in the world today.

    ”Payment has already been made and we are awaiting delivery by end of October while installation will commence as soon as the equipment arrives. Hopefully, Cross River State will have it own home grown, milled and ready for consumption rice by December.”

    Ayade, who lauded the foresight of President Muhammadu Buhari for his aggressive agricultural policy, added: “I agree with Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari that we must think agriculture which is now yielding positive fruits across the country.”

    Ayade went on: “Our major focus is on agriculture, solid minerals and to a lesser extent oil and gas, adding that “In Cross River State we had seen this coming which was why we set up food bank, cotton cultivation with the focus to support our garment factory as a strategy for backward integration. We must find any means to earn money other than oil and gas.

    “I will use this opportunity to call on Cross Riverians to as a matter of urgency, start arranging for their own farms. You must own a farm because if everyone owns a hectare or two, the impact on food supply will be humongous.”

    He said the government intends “to introduce the Israeli farming system where everyone owns a farm and what government will do is to harvest and process those proceeds for the benefit of everyone. We need massive supply of corn and we are making arrangement to introduce modern corn farming techniques that will require all hands to be on deck as farmers to achieve this.

    ”For our cocoa processing  plant which is being handled by a firm in Switzerland, the manufacturing has reached 80 percent completion. I’m talking about all the equipment required for cocoa processing including dryer. We are in addition, setting aside 100 hectares of land dedicated for the cultivation of a new breed of cocoa to support the proposed cocoa processing plant as well as provide us cocoa bags in readiness for export.”

  • Minister: Nigeria’ll be self-sufficient in rice by end of 2017

    Minister: Nigeria’ll be self-sufficient in rice by end of 2017

    Nigeria will be self-sufficient in rice production by the end of this year, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Chief Audu Ogbeh has said.

    Ogbeh, who gave the assurance at the First International Cocoa Summit, organised by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, in collaboration with Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAN), in Abuja, noted that rice production had improved tremendously across the country as a result of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).

    According to him, the programme has supported farmers through inputs distribution and loans to boost rice production across the country. While pointing out that rice is one major staple food consuned by almost every Nigerian, Ogbeh said the move was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda to diversify the economy through the agric sector. He, however, advised rice farmers to reduce the price of a tonne of paddy rice from N150,000 to N120,000 to make it affordable for millers and discourage smuggling. ”By the end of this year, we can tell you that we are self-sufficient in rice,” Ogbeh declared, expressing regrets on the increasing number of malnourished children across the country.

    He hinted that the Federal Government, through his ministry, would encourage land clearing, fertiliser application through extension workers to promote cocoa production. He said:“We are planning a re-launch of cocoa to draw national attention to its strategic importance, but the big thing is to help processors at home and increase consumption. Everything is not about export; nowadays, the export market is choked, forcing prices down while farmers are losing money.”

    He promised that the ministry will help with land clearing, fertiliser improvement, especially the inclusion of boron to revive old cocoa plantation and encourage new ones.

  • Ogun customs impounds N62m smuggled vehicles, frozen poultry, rice

    The Ogun State Command of Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a seizure of 2,000 bags of rice, frozen chicken and exotic cars worth over N62 million.

    The contrabands were intercepted between Abeokuta metropolis and Ipokia Local Government Area of the State.

    Speaking with reporters at the headquarters of the Command in Abeokuta, the Controller of Customs, Ogun State Command, Mr. Sani Madugu said the bags of rice were intercepted within ten days.

    He disclosed that men of the Command have been put on red alert to monitor, trail and apprehend smugglers in the State.

    ‘’This is to show you the seriousness of the Ogun State Customs Command in curbing smuggling activities. We are trying to show you the 2000 bags of rice seized from smugglers in Abeokuta within ten days and about nine exotic vehicles worth N41 million intercepted within the Abeokuta.

    ‘’We are not going to make smugglers comfortable in this State and that is why we have embarked on all round surveillance, monitoring and tracking of smugglers in the State.’’

    Continuing, he said: ‘’In the early hours of Friday August 11, 2017, officers and men of Nigeria Customs Service Command, seized 4500 cartons of frozen poultry products with Duty Paid Value of N21,600,000 (N21.6 million)l and used vehicles were also among the items seized.

    •Some of the seized cars

    ‘’Ogun State Command of NCS will not be condusive for smuggling activities. We are coordinating ourselves round the clock and we shall continue to do more.’’

    Earlier on Tuesday, Madugu disclosed that a bus belonging to the Federal University of Agriculture, FUNNAB, Abeokuta was intercepted and the driver arrested by operatives of the Command for conveying Indian hemp through Imeko, border town in Yewa North Local Government.

    The driver of the coaster bus with registration number FUNNAB 50 B-100 FG, Abolade Bolaji Philip, alongside 211 parcels of cannabis which was compressed in book size tucked under 42 bags of rice was paraded before reporters at the headquarters of the Command in Abeokuta.

    Madugu disclosed that the cannabis were concealed under 42 bags of rice he was conveying from the university’s demonstration farm to the city.

    The illicit drug was later handed over to the Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, of the state, Bala Fagge, who also said the suspect would be properly investigated in order to unravel his sponsors.

  • Kebbi to export rice, livestock

    Kebbi State Govenor Atiku Bagudu has said the state will produce rice and livestock in commercial quantities for export to earn foreign exchange.

    Bagudu stated this yesterday when he received a team of agricultural experts from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State.

    According to him, the state recorded a 300 per cent increase in rice and wheat production. It is second to Yobe in livestock production.

    Bagudu called on international research organisations to make a critical assessment of the agricultural policy of his administration, which is aimed at developing the state’s agricultural potential.

    The governor also appealed to IITA to provide research outlets in the state to boost farmers’ capability in grains production and processing. He said the state also had great potential in the production of groundnut, soya beans, cowpeas, sesame seeds, banana, cocoyam, yam, millet, bambara nut, sugarcane, guinea-corn, cassava and ginger.

    Leader of the IITA team Dr Kenton Dashiell said the institute was recognised globally as a centre of excellence for agricultural research and resources.

    According to him, the team was on a research mission to the state to learn about its agricultural potential, especially in soya beans, since the state is a specialist in soya bean cultivation.

    State Chairman of Rice Farmers Association (AFAN) Sahabi Augie said the association would partner IITA to boost rice production.

    He appealed to the institute to assist farmers by supplying them with improved rice seedlings.

  • Fed Govt donates rice to WFP

    The Federal Government has donated 5,000 metric tonnes of rice to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

    This will help feed nearly half-a-million internally displaced people in the conflict-ravaged northeast of the country, where the threat of famine persists.

    WFP has begun moving the first batch of the rice – and expects a further 2,000 metric tons of millet pledged by the Nigerian authorities.

    “As a responsible government, the Federal Government, in recognition of the efforts of humanitarian actors and the need to ensure food security for the people affected by insurgency in the north east, has not only approved the distribution of 35,905 metric tonnes of grains to the people, but has also approved the release of 5,000 metric tons of rice for distribution by World Food Programme (WFP) in some communities affected by insurgency,” said Director-General,  National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja.

    Since its launch last year, WFP has expanded its offer of food, nutrition and cash to reach more than a million people monthly. Having overcome a funding challenge, it has set its target at 1.36 million people during the pre-harvest lean season, the hungriest time of the year.

    “This donation once again testifies to the quality of relations between WFP and Nigeria,” said Ronald Sibanda, WFP’s interim country director. “Our partnership with the Government’s specialised emergency agencies, both at the federal and state level, have been crucial in allowing us to assist those who need it most.”

    As part of a $100 million contribution to WFP’s Nigeria response, the US will cover the associated costs of getting the donated rice to those displaced in the hardest-hit states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

    Nigeria’s crisis has spilled over borders, leaving millions in the broader Lake Chad Basin region uncertain of where their meal is coming from. Experts have warned that without sufficient and timely humanitarian assistance, northeast Nigeria risks tipping into famine.

    WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in about 80 countries.

  • Rice millers back war against smuggling

    The Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) has promised to provide information to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to curb the smuggling the product.

    The association will also support the Federal Government’s value chain programme on local rice cultivation, milling, processing, and production.

    Its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr. Peter Dharma, made these pledges in Kano, at the association’s inaugural meeting.

    Noting that Nigerians had, over the years, been losing enormous resources to the smuggling of food items into the country, he said “Our association will work closely with the regulatory and policy makers to ensure standards in local rice milling.”

    He also stated that the association would support research into renewable energy source, which, he said, RIMAN will recommend to its members in the near future.

    Speaking on the occasion, NCS Area Commander Mr. Yusuf Abba hailed RIMAN’s plan, noting that it would yield benefits to the country.

    Abba, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Mr. Ago Hyacinth, said smugglers should no longer be allowed to sabotage the economy.

    A director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mallam Muhammed Munir, said the Federal Government’s injection of money into the sector would facilitate employment for citizens.

    The association at the inaugural meeting discussed the various issues on rice production in the country.

  • Firm, Kebbi partner on rice production

    To achieve rice sufficiency, Kebbi State is partnering WACOT Rice Limited on the commodity production.

    WACOT Rice, a member of TGI Group, is helping Nigeria to regain its status as a top rice producer. It has invested in rice processing plants. To this end, the company is supporting the Kebbi government to roll out sustainable agricultural standards and practices throughout its rice-production value chain.

    The group has established a modern ricemill in Argungu, Kebbi State, which will produce 120,000 metric tons yearly and 400 metric tonnes of rice daily.

    TGI Group Group Managing Director,  Mr. Rahul Savara, said WACOT rice mill was recently inaugurated by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. He said the firm would help farmers conform to agricultural standards and practice, promote resource efficiency and sustainability, both on-farm and throughout the rice value-chain.

    According to him, his organisation is bringing significant global experience delivering knowledge and expertise in  rice  production  through quality control and strict inspection throughout the entire value chain.

    Savara said the quality of rice being produced at the mill is comparable to the best in the world. The mill, he said, has a production capacity of 120,000 metric tons per year and fully automated silos that have the capacity to store raw materials for up to six months of production.

    The state-of-the-art rice mill with a capital outlay of over N10billion and is expected to provide employment for 3,500 people and its procurement of rice paddy will reach at least 50,000 farmers, as the capacity grows.

    He appreciated the Federal Government for its various initiatives in support of agriculture through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other mediums, which has impacted the growth of the sector positively, and has also served as a motivation for private sector players in the sector.

    “Therefore, for us this is just the beginning. We have plans to invest over N100 billion over the next years in various agricultural value chains.

    ”It is worthy of note that the rice processing plant is the first rice mill to be conceptualised, executed and commissioned during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.’’

    The construction of the mill was first announced by the  governor in November 2015, when President Muhammadu Buhari launched the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme in Birnin-Kebbi.

    “One of the critical things that we are seeing today, especially the development of agriculture, is that this is growth with jobs. Several thousands of our people are farmers and are engaged in farming”.

    On how Kebbi has been able to achieve this feat, the governor disclosed recently that on assuming office and discovering the huge rice potentials in his state, he immediately partnered with the Bank of Industry and the Central Bank of Nigeria and to show his commitment, he put down a princely sum of N4 billion as financial assistance and inputs to rice farmers in the state to go into commercial farming.

  • Flood-tolerant rice strains released

    Two high-yielding flood-tolerant rice varieties developed by the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) – FARO 66 and FARO 67 – have been officially approved for cultivation.

    A statement from AfricaRice  said the  flood-tolerant varieties were selected based on farmers’ rankings and results of on-station, multilocation and on-farm trials conducted in partnership with the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) and the National Rice and Maize Center (NRMC).

    “For the first time in Nigeria, vulnerable rice farmers in flood-prone areas will have access to this powerful innovation,” said Dr Ramaiah Venuprasad, AfricaRice lowland rice breeder, who led the team that achieved this feat. Rainfed lowlands occupy more than 70 per cent  of total rice area in Nigeria and are prone to recurrent flooding caused by heavy rainfall or overflow of nearby rivers

  • ‘Nigeria won’t import rice next year’

    ‘Nigeria won’t import rice next year’

    Having closely monitored the progress of local farmers, the International Fund for Agricultural Development Programme (IFAD) is convinced that Nigeria will be self-sufficient in rice production in 2018. JUSTINA ASISHANA reports from Minna

    It might well be the best piece of news to come out of Nigeria. At the rate rice farming is going, the country will not have to import the grain next year. This piece of information was released by Dr. Odoemena Ben, Country Programme Officer in Nigeria, International Fund for Agricultural Development Programme (IFAD).

    Ben was speaking in Niger State as part of IFAD Value Chain Development Progra-mme (VCDP) fifth supervision mission team to the state. He said that with the attention being paid by governments at all levels and international agencies on rice production, the sector has received a boost.

    This means a lot to Nigerians and the Muhammadu Buhari administration. The administration took off on a plan to stimulate local food production and stem the outflow of import cash. This spurred increased cultivation of rice, for instance, in some states, one of which is Niger. As late as last December, it was clear that the administration and the rice growers meant business. The farmers grew the grain, processed and neatly bagged it.

    Ben corroborated that in Niger, adding that farming in general has received a lot of boost from both state and federal governments as farmers are being given farm inputs, fertilisers, seedlings, equipment and other implements that would improve the quality and quantity of farming in the country.

    Ben said that with the investment made in rice this year, the farmers across the country can produce more than three million metric tonnes of rice which would be more than enough until the next rice planting season.

    ”Niger is heading for self-sufficiency of rice before the end of 2017. I am very sure that if the path of what we are doing continues, we will be self-sufficient in Rice production. By next year, Nigeria will be able to export rice.

    He however called on states governments to fulfil their parts by paying their counterpart funds to enable the farmers enjoy more and give them increased yield in their farm produce.

    However, the Niger government has assured the International Fund for Agricultural Development Programme (IFAD) of its commitment to pay its N87.1 million counterpart fund.

    The state Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Kabiru Musa called for patience during the team’s visit to his office.

    He said, “We appreciate you for being patient with us over non payment of counterpart fund. I assure you that we are going to discourse with the governor to make sure that the money is paid. The state government has approved the money, what is happening is that we are waiting for cash backing to pay our counterpart fund.”

    Musa lauded the project in the state, saying that it has impacted positively on farmers in the state thereby creating jobs, increasing their income and increasing food production, “Today our farmers can carter for their households with ease without going to borrow,’’ he said.

    He urged the project to extend their activities in the state to the 20 Local Government Areas that are yet to benefit as only five local government areas in the state; Kontagora, Wushishi, Bida, Shiroro and Katcha are currently participating in the programme.

    The state IFAD Project Coordinator, Dr. Ahmed Mathew said that over N83 million has been expended for infrastructures for Rural Farmers in Niger state to provide them with basic amenities and alleviate their sufferings.

    He said that the infrastructures were provided under the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) under the programme adding that the projects will help in increasing the productivity of the farmers in the state.

    He said that Solar Powered boreholes was set up for N9.5 million, rehabilitation and construction  of warehouses gulped N23 million while others cost N33 million..

    Ahmed further said that IFAD has helped the farmers in increasing their income while he stressed on the need for the state government to pay up its counterpart fund to enable them give the farmers more infrastructures.

     

  • Fed Govt to end rice importation before Dec, says Ogbeh

    The Federal Government will stop the importation of rice before the end of the year to boost internal production of the commodity and meet foreign exchange earnings that can support economic diversification.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Audu Ogbeh spoke at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, during a working visit to Ekiti State.

    He promised that the price of rice would crash within the next two weeks.

    Ogbeh also visited Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) Farm, where he spoke his ministry’s intention to supply the institution with 20 tonnes of rice seedlings in the next planting season to boost rice production.

    According to the minister, the Federal Government will sign a memoranda of understanding with Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) and Ekiti State government on the production of rice.

    Ogbeh said the recession has helped the Federal Government to think outside the box and had succeeded in bringing the deserved revolution to agriculture sector.

    ABUAD Founder Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) hailed the Buhari administration for bringing revolution to the country’s agriculture sector.

    He said the sector had been neglected by successive governments, describing the economic recession as a blessing in disguise.

    He said: “To support the Federal Government’s initiative, this university for the past three years have been holding annual Afe Babalola Agriculture EXPO (ABAFEX), where we give N1 million to the best farmer in Ekiti and N250,000 to the best in 16 local governments.

    “This year, we intend to hold Rice Summit with intention to expose Ekiti potentials in the production of the commodity.”