10 States To Benefit From FG’s Rice Mills

In pursuit of the
government’s effort of securing local self-sufficiency in food production, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of processing mills for rice and cassava to curb poor processing capacity.
In the case of rice in particular, our source had reported on the impending glut following the bumper rice paddy harvests recorded by farmers across the country.
Fortunately, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its weekly sitting recently, has approved the establishment of ten integrated rice mills and six cassava mills in strategic locations across the country.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, in a chat with  State House correspondents after the meeting.
He explained that the projects which were estimated to cost about N13 billion would be largely private-sector driven, with government providing the necessary platforms for their operations.
According to the minister, the 10 integrated rice mills would be located in 10 states including Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Ogun and Anambra while the cassava processing mills would be located in Cross River, Abia, Delta, Ondo and Ogun states.
He said the increase in the number of rice growing states from 10 -23 from 2012 to 2014 would ensure the development of high quality mills.