The Federal Government has assured of self sufficiency in rice production in 2018 through the implementation of right policies aimed at boosting agricultural production in Nigeria.

Addressing participants at the 3^rd edition of the Rice Investment Summit anchored by the Nepad Business Group Nigeria in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh said that Food sufficiency was a major goal of the Federal Govt.

From L-R: Dr. Stefan Kachelriess-Mathess, Program Director, Competitive African
Rice Initiative (cari), Mr. Ade Adefeko, Vice President & Head, Corporate
and Govt. Relations, Olam Nigeria ltd., Mr. Muazu Adamu Gosho, Permanent
secretary, Min. of Budget & Planning Nasarawa state, and Dr Adeleke
Mufutau, representative of Fed. Ministry of Agriculture at a plenary
session at the just held 3rd Nigeria rice investment forum.

He said the Federal Government has put in place an Agric Promotion Policy (APP) which sets a target for self sufficiency in rice production for 2018.

Represented by the Director of Agricultural Development in the Agric ministry, Mr. Obinna Opara, Chief Ogbeh in a Keynote Address, expressed delight that Nepad Business Group Nigeria had brought key actors together to chart a way forward for rice production which he described as a critically important staple.

He also reeled out implementation strategies for government’s auspicious drive.

Earlier, the Chairman, Nepad Business Group Nigeria, Mrs. Nike Akande, represented by the group’s top official, Mallam Abu Aliu stressed that the 3rd edition of the Rice Investment Summit was geared to build on the success of the previous editions. She also highlighted the crucial need for diversification of the economy which rice production could fill.

Also speaking, Mr. Dosumu Oluwole the Acting Head, NEPAD Business Group Nigeria Secretariat expressed his appreciation to all who graced the occasion and used the occasion to restate the resolve of the NEPAD Business Group Nigeria to continue to intervene and partner with other stakeholders in the rice value chain to help bring transformation to the economy of Africa.

The theme for the event is: 2018 Self Sufficiency in Rice Production: Opportunities Challenges, and the Road Ahead – Stimulating Production with the Right Policies, Practices and Technologies.