Food Security: CBN facilitates over 58 new rice mills, improves farmers’ productivity ─Emefiele

*The Central Bank of Nigeria says there are over 68 integrated rice mills spread across the West African country with a combined capacity of three million metric tonnes as of January 2022 as ‘food security remains a cardinal deliverable for every developing economy’ serving as the fulcrum of other economic development indices

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As part of efforts at ensuring nutrition security in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed the Bankers’ Bank facilitated 58 additional integrated rice mills through various initiatives of the Federal Government in the last seven years.

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor of CBN, recently noted that rice mills in Nigeria were below 10 in 2015, with a combined capacity of about 350,000 metric tonnes yearly.

A rice mill in Nigeria

Mr. Emefiele, however, disclosed that as of January 2022, there were over 68 integrated mills spread across the West African country with a combined capacity of three million metric tonnes.

Emefiele further explained that the Bank’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), which was introduced in 2015, had catalyst effects on rice cultivation, processing, and other value chain activities.

Still, the CBN Chief said about 10 more integrated rice mills would be facilitated and commissioned this year.

Emefiele stated: “Food security remains a cardinal deliverable for every developing economy as it serves as the fulcrum of many other economic development indices.

The CBN also assured rice millers of collaboration to boost the rice value chain in the country.

Emefiele urges integrated millers to invest in rice paddy cultivation

The CBN Governor recently urged integrated millers in the country to also invest in cultivation rice paddies to complement smallholders’ production and boost availability of raw materials for their mills while driving the policy of the country to be self-sufficient in rice production.

Emefiele stated this in Kano, Northern Nigeria, while unveiling Garewa Rice Mill, an integrated 420-metric-tonne per day rice mill.

He also encouraged mill operators to get involved in paddy cultivation as part of their backward integration plans and cooperation with the Nigerian Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN) for sustainability.

The governor said: “The private sector-led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme provides long-term financing options to millers to finance commercial farms, land development, irrigation facilities; and other agricultural infrastructure that will enhance the production plan.

According to him, the quality of milled Nigerian rice was comparable to that of rice produced elsewhere in the world.

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