The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has announced plans to collaborate with the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) to boost Nigeria’s rice value chain and position it as more competitive, resilient, and sustainable.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting themed “Reviewing Progress Mobilizing Partnership,” the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi—represented by the Director of Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun—said Nigeria has recorded significant progress in rice production.
He cited improved yields, better processing capacity, and increased participation of women and youth as notable achievements.
The meeting reviewed progress under the National Rice Development Strategy II and explored ways to strengthen partnerships that can transform the country’s rice sector into a globally competitive industry.
Dr. Ogunbiyi noted that areas such as mechanization, climate-smart technologies, and modern processing facilities remain ripe for investment and could further drive growth in the sector.
Also speaking, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, underscored the importance of supporting local production to reduce imports and enhance food security. Similarly, the Regional Adviser of CARD stressed that strengthening Nigeria’s rice value chain would not only support national development but also contribute to Africa’s wider agricultural transformation agenda.
