FMAFS, CARD Forge Partnership to Strengthen Rice Value Chain
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security restated 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.
Speaking during the 2025 Annual Rice Sector Review meeting with the theme: “Reviewing Progress, Mobilizing Partnership” held in Abuja recently, the Ministry’s Permanent, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, represented by the Director, Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services Department , Mr. Oshadiya Olanipekun stated that Nigeria has made remarkable strides in rice production with improved yields through the adoption of better agronomic practices and enhanced seed varieties
According to him, “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’’.
In a statement signed by
Ogbuagu Chika on behalf of the Ministry’s Head of Information Department, the Permanent Secretary noted that the meeting provides a unique opportunity not only to review progress under the National Rice Development Strategy II (NRDS, 2020-2030), but also to strengthen partnerships and mobilize investments that would transform Nigeria’s rice sector into a globally competitive industry.
He called for technical and financial support on the remaining plans to help unlock the full potential of the rice sector so as to create jobs, reduce import dependency, ensure food and nutrition security, as well as contribute to Africa’s broader agricultural transformation agenda under CARD
Dr Ogunbiyi disclosed that ‘the Nigerian rice sector is ripe for investment in areas such as: Mechanization and climate smart technologies adoption to boost productivity per hectare, Modern processing and milling facilities to ensure quality rice that meets global standards, 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.
Sen Bagudu pointed out that the government was committed to supporting domestic production, enhancing competitiveness, and building a resilient rice sector that would contribute significantly to national development.
According to him, “Our objective is to support local production, empower producers in agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry and processors to compete globally’’
In a goodwill message, the Regional Adviser, CARD, Mr Mike Nasamu, stated that rice remained a key staple food in Nigeria, noting the review meeting’s potential to shape a more sustainable food system.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Africa Rice, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and other key stakeholders
