The Niger State government has signed a scientific agricultural partnership with AfricaRice to boost rice production and reduce rice importation.
The partnership aims to increase Niger State’s annual paddy rice output from 1.5 million metric tons to 10 million metric tons by 2030.
The partnership focuses on developing climate-smart rice production and processing technologies, as well as innovative agricultural practices.
The farmer governor of Niger State expressed confidence that the partnership will help cut down rice importation by 70%, create employment, increase revenue generation, and improve socio-economic life.
AfricaRice’s Director General, Dr Baboucarr Manneh, described the agricultural investments as impressive and said the partnership will translate the state’s ambition on rice production to reality.