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Understanding Nigeria’s Rice Revolution

Nigeria is the second highest importer of rice in the world despite its massive arable land. This edition of Earth File focuses on the challenge … Continue reading Understanding Nigeria’s Rice Revolution


Nigeria is the second highest importer of rice in the world despite its massive arable land.

This edition of Earth File focuses on the challenge faced by Nigerian farmers who cultivate the major staple food in Africa’s most populous country. Cultivation of the local rice, popularly called ‘Ofada’ in the western part of the country is stated to be the major economy of Nigeria’s vast rural communities.

Minister of Agriculture and Rival Development; Mr Akinwunmi Adesina, is engaged on the purported rice revolution which is geared to make Nigeria a commercial producer of rice while creating millions of jobs as well.

Dr Adesina claims a newly inaugurated rice revolution initiated in the northern part of the country recently generated 1million tonnes of rice, a feat he claimed has never being achieved in the country.

Nigeria is a big country which should be a net exporter of rice and not an importer. If we get this right, the entire West African sub-region is ours for the taking, says the Agriculture Minister.