…The partnership seeks to increase Niger State’s annual paddy rice output from 1.5 million metric tons to 10 million metric tons by the year 2030
THUR JULY 24 2025-theGBJournal| In a bid to strengthen scientific and agricultural collaboration aimed at transforming rice production capacity in Niger State, a strategic pact worth over $1.2 billion has been signed between the state and AfricRice Farm Centre in Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire.
Baboucarr Manneh, Director General, AfricaRice and Farmer Governor Umaru Bago signed the over $1.2 billion deal in Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire.
Niger State’s agricultural company, Niger Foods Ltd., will drive the investment in the next five years.
The partnership seeks to increase Niger State’s annual paddy rice output from 1.5 million metric tons to 10 million metric tons by the year 2030 and also focus on the development and adoption of climate-smart rice production and processing technologies, as well as innovative agricultural practices tailored to the state’s agro-ecological conditions.
The agreement involves a 5,000-hectare breeder, foundation, and certified seeds farm to be established to produce 25,000 tons of highest quality seeds for cultivation on 500,000 hectares, comprising new modern commercial farms on 100,000 hectares and micro, small, and medium-sized rice farms on 40,000 hectares across the state, employing over 100,000 persons of rice farms to produce 10 million tons per annum by 2030.
AfricaRice, a notable member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research CGIAR, will deploy experts and technology as well as bring global development partners to Niger State to support this project.
Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described the partnership as a milestone initiative that reaffirms government’s commitment to achieving rice self-sufficiency, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable economic growth.
He expressed confidence that the partnership with Africa Rice will deepen the transformation efforts of his administration and position the state as a rice production powerhouse, contributing significantly to Nigeria and Africa’s food security architecture.
The farmer governor maintained that with collaborations, innovations, investments, and inclusive policies, Africa can build a future where it will not only feed itself but also the world.
Farmer Governor Umaru Bago and his entourage toured the rice farms of AfricaRice, where he was impressed with the level of their commitment to rice production.
The management of AfricaRice commended farmer governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for his remarkable strides in agricultural development in Niger state and Nigeria as a whole
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