pursuit of the government’s effort at securing local self-sufficiency in food production, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of processing mills for rice and cassava, two staples which have over the last few months dominated headlines on account of poor processing capacity. In the case of rice in particular, AgroNigeria had reported on the impending glut following the bumper rice paddy harvests recorded by farmers across the country.

Fortunately, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its weekly sitting on Wednesday the 10th of September 2014, has approved the establishment of ten integrated rice mills and six cassava processing mills in strategic locations across the country.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina while speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting. He explained that the projects which are estimated to cost about ₦13 billion would be largely private-sector driven, with government providing the necessary platforms for their operation.
According to Adesina, the 10 integrated rice mills would be located in 10 states including Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Bayelsa, Bauchi , Ogun and Anambra, while the cassava processing mills would be located in Cross River, Abia, Delta, Ondo and Ogun states.
The minister noted that following the increase in number of rice growing states from 10 in 2012 to 23 in 2014, the country is currently developing high quality rice mills with the capacity to process rice paddy into finished rice.