Nigeria local rice production hits 15m tonnes

That's a great achievement! Nigeria's local rice production has indeed hit 15 million tonnes, which is a significant milestone in the country's efforts to increase self-sufficiency in rice production.

According to reports, the 15 million tonnes of rice produced in Nigeria is a 30% increase from the 11.5 million tonnes produced in 2020. This increase is attributed to the efforts of the Nigerian government, farmers, and other stakeholders to improve rice production and reduce reliance on imported rice.

The increase in local rice production is expected to have several benefits, including:

  1. Job creation: The increased production of rice is expected to create more jobs for farmers, processors, and other stakeholders in the rice value chain.
  2. Economic benefits: The increased production of rice is expected to reduce the country's reliance on imported rice, which will help to conserve foreign exchange and reduce the country's trade deficit.
  3. Food security: The increased production of rice is expected to improve food security in Nigeria, as more Nigerians will have access to locally produced rice.
  4. Reduced poverty: The increased production of rice is expected to reduce poverty in Nigeria, as more people will have access to employment and income opportunities in the rice value chain.

The Nigerian government has been implementing several initiatives to support rice production, including:

  1. The Anchor Borrowers' Programme (ABP): This programme provides loans to farmers to enable them to access inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
  2. The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN): This association provides training and support to rice farmers to improve their skills and productivity.
  3. The National Rice Development Programme (NRDP): This programme provides funding and support to rice farmers and processors to improve rice production and processing.

Overall, the increase in local rice production in Nigeria is a positive development that is expected to have several benefits for the country's economy and people.