Nigeria is set to receive a massive
boost with the second richest man
in the world investing in the industry.
With the price of rice hitting the
roof in recent times, Nigeria can
expect relief as the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation revealed that it
was funding six agricultural
commodities value chains with
emphasis on rice production.
The Punch reports that the development is in a bid to ensure
food sufficiency in Nigeria. Yam
production was also included in the project.
Dr Audu Grema who is the senior
programme officer, agriculture in
the West African office of the
foundation revealed this on
Tuesday, September 13 in Abuja. He
said Nigeria will soon be self-
sufficient in rice production and
listed some agricultural projects of
the foundation to include CARI-
Project (rice) which was aimed at
improving rice production productivity, pest control, and variety enhancement.
He explained that the Cassava Value
Addition Project was based in
Abeokuta at the University of
Agriculture.
“We also have a big yam project
where we are working with private
farms around Abuja, Kaduna, Niger,
Ibadan, Abeokuta, Akure to enhance
yam propagation technology
through seeds.
“We have a huge portfolio of
agricultural investments in Nigeria.
We are work on maize, rice, yam,
cassava and crop-livestock
interface.
“We have four strategic cassava
investments that we think are
critical that we are funding across
Nigeria.
“In agriculture, we do not approve
projects except if it has a small
holder connection.
“Anything we fund must have a
connection with enhancing the
status of small scale farmers.”
The programme officer assured that
the foundation would align its
programmes with that of the
Federal Government to enable the
country achieve Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs)
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