L
LequteMan
Guest
The Dangote Group has launched a 20,000 hectre rice production scheme in Jigawa state which is aimed at making the country self-sufficient in rice production and food secure by the year 2018.
Minister of State for Agriculture Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, said Nigeria currently produces 2.6 million metric tons of the commodity and needs 6.8 million metric tons of rice annually for consumption. He said the federal government was worried over the production gap.
"We are locally producing only 2.6 million metric tons. In view of this, the federal government has come up with plan to encourage massive investment in rice production and agricultural sector in general to end rice importation by the year 2018,” he said.
President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said his company is targeting 120,000 hectares for rice production across the country by the year 2020.
He said the Jigawa rice scheme targets 20,000 hectares in which the out growers will produce 8,000 hectares while the company will cultivate 12,000 hectares.
According to him, the project will provide direct job opportunities to over 10,000 youths in addition to food security and internally generated income to the state government.
Leadership
Minister of State for Agriculture Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, said Nigeria currently produces 2.6 million metric tons of the commodity and needs 6.8 million metric tons of rice annually for consumption. He said the federal government was worried over the production gap.
"We are locally producing only 2.6 million metric tons. In view of this, the federal government has come up with plan to encourage massive investment in rice production and agricultural sector in general to end rice importation by the year 2018,” he said.
President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said his company is targeting 120,000 hectares for rice production across the country by the year 2020.
He said the Jigawa rice scheme targets 20,000 hectares in which the out growers will produce 8,000 hectares while the company will cultivate 12,000 hectares.
According to him, the project will provide direct job opportunities to over 10,000 youths in addition to food security and internally generated income to the state government.
Leadership
