Rice milling plants now operate full capacity also expanding – Minister

Abiodun OBA

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sabo Nanono, said most of the rice milling plants operating partially before the closure of our land borders, now operate not only in full capacity but are also expanding.that Nigeria would hopefully begin exporting rice to other countries in the next two years.

Nanono gave this cheering news on Tuesday in Abuja in a statement issued on his behalf by Mr Theodore Ogaziechi, the Director of Information in the ministry.

The statement quoted the minister as saying that the border closure by the federal government had resulted in increased output of local rice by farmers and millers across the country.

The statement confirmed that Nanono during a working visit to Nestle Nigeria PLC in Lagos said, “Before the closure of our land borders, most of the rice milling plants were operating partially, but now they not only operate in full capacity but are also expanding.

“If we can maintain the momentum, in the next two years, we might commence export of rice to other countries.”

The minister further said that most rice producers have planned against the next six months by stocking rice in various silos such that before the stock is finished, dry season rice will be harvested.

Nanono said the all-year-round rice farming has made the country a force to reckon with in rice production.

According to him, “We now cultivate rice in a nine-month cycle. As we move on the cycle will widen, so we do not have a problem with rice growing and processing.

“We now have 11 mega rice milling plants with the capacity to produce from 180 tonnes to 350 tonnes of rice per day.

“In a few months, another mill with a capacity to produce 400 tonnes of rice per day will be opened, with another upcoming 34 smaller mills. We will also have clusters in different areas”, he said.

Nanono commended Nestle for its role in assisting local farmers and creating jobs for Nigerians.

While welcoming the minister, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nestle Nigeria PLC, Mr Mauricio Alarcon, expressed gratitude to the minister for the visit and called for stronger working relationship with the ministry.