Nigeria to achieve Rice Self-Sufficiency by 2030

In a bid to promote, competitiveness and sustainability of the rice value chain in Nigeria, the Market oriented value chains for jobs and growths in ECOWAS (GIZ -MOVE) programme supported the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in launching the National rice development strategy (NRDS II) and the Competitive African Rice Platform (CARP) in Nigeria.

The NRDS II is a ten-year action plan document to provide a direction for the development of the rice sub-sector to achieve the goals of self-sufficiency in rice production, food and nutrition security, employment creation and production of surplus for export. The NRDS II is a rice development strategy document of FMARD with technical support from GIZ, JICA, AGRA, NEPAD and was adopted at the National Council of Agriculture NCA held at the International Conference Centre Abuja in 2021.

CARP on the other hand is a multi-stakeholder platform that serves as a forum where different stakeholders in the rice Sector can work together to define national priorities for developing the rice value chain and promote competitiveness of the value chain. CARP is represented in the ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO), a regional body coordinating all donor interventions in the region. As a result of the request from FMARD to kick-start the process of setting up a rice multi stakeholders platform, GIZ-MOVE a follow-on project of GIZ-CARI organized and convened the rice sector stakeholders which led the process of establishing the platform that is offering both technical and policy voice and space for national rice stakeholders to scale local impact. Likewise promoting resource efficiency and sustainability both on-farm and throughout the rice value chain. NRDS II will provide orientation for CARP’s operation in Nigeria while CARP will also facilitate the achievement of NRDS II particularly by stimulating policy advocacy and implementation.

This colourful launching ceremony held on the 15th of December 2022 at Shehu Musa Yar'adua Centre, saw the attendance of the minister of state for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Mustapha Shehuri, The Executive Governor of Kebbi state, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, representatives from the minister of water resources and Federal capital territory, The permanent secretary of FMARD represented by Engr. Udoh D.U, The Executive secretary of ERO, Dr. Boladale Adebowale, Programme leader GIZ MOVE, Mr. Florain Winckler, Chief Representative JICA ,Mr.Yuzzuiro Susumu, CARP Board Chairman, Mr.Peter Dama ,NRDS Focal Person Dr. Fatima Aliyu, The president OLAM, Mr. Reji George and many actors in the rice value chain.

Highlight of the event captured speeches, goodwill messages and strategy talk from various keynote speakers such as The Minster of state for Agriculture and Rural development who in his remark said the federal government remained highly committed to the promotion of the agricultural sector to realize its potential of achieving food and nutrition security for its teeming population. The minister pointed out that the rice value chain had been identified as strategic to achieving these lofty objectives. The Executive Governor of Kebbi State also in his remarks encouraged the rice sector and gave praise report on success achieved so far and a need to increase efforts as there is so much gap yet to be covered, he further made an appeal for women and youth inclusiveness and involvement in the sector.