Nigeria leads 3 years successively in global cassava, yam, rice production ─Minister

*It is remarkable that in the past three years, Nigeria has taken a leading role globally in cassava, yam, maize, palm oil and rice production, says Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has stated that Nigeria has been a leading global producer of yam, palm oil, cassava, maize and rice for the past three years.

ConsumerConnect gathered Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this development earlier this week at the maiden edition of the National Agribusiness Stakeholders and Investment Summit, in Abuja, FCT.

The Minister said: “It is remarkable that in the past three years, Nigeria has taken a leading role globally in cassava, yam, maize, palm oil and rice production.

Agricultural produce

“We are currently the largest producer of rice in Africa with a production level of over nine million metric tonnes from 2019.

“The Federal Government is investing in the development of additional 10 large-scale integrated rice mills across the country.”

Dr. Abubakar stated that Nigeria’s agricultural potential is immense with over 84 million hectares of arable land of which 40 per cent was cultivated, in addition to its population of over 200 million, making it Africa’s largest market.

He also said: “Their combined minimum capacity is 320MT per day, which when completed will enhance Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in rice production.”

According to the Minister, the agricultural sector currently contributes 24.14 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and 75 per cent of the total non-oil exports.

“It is notable that through various empowerment support initiatives in production, processing and marketing of agricultural commodities, we have lifted a total of 4,205,576 Nigerians out of poverty in the last two years,” he added.