Lagos targets to process 100,000MT of paddies in 2024, FG launches WACOT Rice out-grower scheme

NIGERIA – As part of efforts to improve food production and boost food security, Lagos targets to process about 100,000 metric tons (MT) of paddies this year.

Rotimi Fashola, the special adviser to the governor on agriculture revealed this while speaking during the Lagos Food Systems Stakeholders Breakfast Meeting.

Fashola revealed that the state has partnered with Niger and Kebbi to get farmers to grow rice on a large scale on behalf of the state.

He said the cost of rice production in the country is increasing daily, as most rice mills run on diesel, adding that Lagos is working to have an alternative source of power for the mill that is cheaper.

According to him, Lagos consumes two million tons of paddies which is over 24 million bags of rice. However, he expressed concern given that the Imota Rice Mill can only do 200,000 tons of paddy which is 2.4 million bags.

“We will try that as much as possible. Most Lagosians will have a bit of our rice produced at Imota Rice Mill. We will ensure we meet 40 percent of the rice needs of the state,” he said.

Fashola noted that, despite the existing subsidized paddy costs, the price is still not as low as Lagosians would want because of the high cost of production.

Emmanuel Olotu, chairman of Lagos State House Assembly Committee on Agriculture called on stakeholders to boost their agricultural productivity in the state to drive food security.

He commended the state’s agric ministry for spearheading projects that allow them to share in the activities that will shape the food system in the state in 2024.

“Our shared goal should be the development of a resilient and efficient food system that benefits farmers, consumers, and the state.”

WACOT Rice’s 2024 Out-grower scheme launched

Meanwhile, the federal government, represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari has flagged off WACOT Rice Limited’s 2024 dry-season farming input distribution to out-grower farmers in Argungu, Kebbi State.

WACOT Limited is a leading food and agro-allied company with sizeable investments in value chains of various crops across Nigeria. It is also a subsidiary of Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group.

At the launch, Kyari inspected WACOT Rice’s state-of-the-art 250,000-ton mill, set to be inaugurated later this year. Expressing his satisfaction with the initiative, he emphasized its potential to significantly boost farmers’ productivity and income.

Kyari commended WACOT Rice and its parent company, Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, for empowering farmers across various value chains nationwide.

Highlighting TGI’s substantial investments in agriculture and other sectors, the minister affirmed the alignment of these investments with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

On his part, the Chairman of WACOT Rice and vice chairman (Africa), of TGI Group, Farouk Gumel emphasized WACOT Rice’s unwavering commitment to boosting Nigeria’s food security.

The inclusivity of the out-grower program, he noted, was to support farmers of all demographics with certified seeds, agrochemicals, and training sessions to enhance productivity and income.

AgroNigeria reported that, from the program, over 10,000 registered farmers including women and youth in the state, will receive agri-inputs, water pumps, training sessions, and extension support during the dry season farming period.

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