The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has assured of its readiness to partner with the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) to boost rice value chain, make it more competitive, resilient and sustainable in the agricultural ecosystem.
The duo expressed the commitment during the 2025 Annual Rice Sector Review meeting with the theme “Reviewing Progress Mobilising Partnership” in Abuja recently.
Speaking on the occasion, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, stated: ‘’Nigeria has made remarkable strides in rice production. Yields have improved through the adoption of better agronomic practices and improved seed varieties.’’
The permanent secretary, who was represented by the Director, Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services Department, Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun, added: “Processing capacity has expanded and greater participation of youth and women is soaring in the rice value chain. These are milestones we must be proud of and make an effort to sustain.’’
He noted that the meeting provides a unique opportunity not only to review progress under the National Rice Development Strategy II (NRDS, 2020-2030), but aimed at strengthening partnerships and mobilise investments that would transform Nigeria’s rice sector into a globally competitive industry.
Ogunbiyi said: ‘’Technical and financial support on the remaining plans can help unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s rice sector—creating jobs, reducing import dependency, ensuring food and nutrition security, and contributing to Africa’s broader agricultural transformation agenda under CARD.’’
He revealed that the Nigerian rice sector is ripe for investment in areas such as mechanisation and climate smart technologies adoption to boost productivity per hectare, modern processing and milling facilities to ensure quality rice that meets global standards, and climate-smart rice production systems to build resilience against environmental shocks amongst others.’’
He urged stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to advancing the rice agenda, not just for Nigeria but across Africa under the CARD framework.
In his remarks, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, said that the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to drive economic activities.
He pointed out that the Federal Government was committed to supporting domestic production, enhancing competitiveness, and building a resilient rice sector that would contribute significantly to national development.
“Our objective is to support local production, empower producers in agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry and processors to compete globally,’’ he said.
In his goodwill message, the Regional Adviser, CARD, Mr Mike Nasamu, said rice remained a key staple in Nigeria and that the review meeting would help shape a more sustainable food system.
In attendance at the meeting were representatives of Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Africa Rice, and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), among others.
