Nigeria on track to be rice sufficient by 2015

WITH support from Federal Government and FCT Administration, Nigeria is expected to reach its goal of becoming self-sufficient in rice production by 2015, said the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, chief Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide. Agriculture is one of the pillars of the transformation agenda, said the minister during a meeting with Dr Edwin Idu, managing director of Rice Africa.

“The Federal Government, in collaboration with state governments has initiated a Rice Mills Programme and is procuring rice mills for distribution to the states of the federation and FCT. The FCT Administration is supporting the government’s initiative and will ensure adequate infrastructure for the programme,” the minister added.

The FCT has been allocated two rice mills by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which will be deployed in Abaji and Kwali Area Councils.