Pledge to step up production of wheat, maize, sorghum

Gboyega Akinsanmi
The Lagos and Kebbi State Governments wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which they said would culminate in the production of 70 per cent of Nigeria’s rice requirements annually.

The two states governments also explained the genesis of the agreement, ascribing it to the policy thrust of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to diversify the country’s economy and feed its citizens.

The agreement was ratified at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos wednesday by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, along with representatives of the two governments.



The ratification of the MoU was witnessed by members of the State Executive Council from the two states, representatives of the two Houses of Assembly, leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC), traditional rulers, community leaders among others

The agreement, which principally centres on boosting the production of wheat, ground nut, maize, millet, sorghum, sugar cane, cows among others, was the first state-to-state relations in the country.

Before signing the agreement, Bagudu unequivocally disclosed that the goal of Lagos-Kebbi partnership on food production was “to produce 60 to 70 per cent of Nigeria’s rice needs, and replicate same in other food items.”
He therefore explained that in the world of genetically modified food, the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi States was an additional motivation to provide certainties for the people in terms of food production and sufficiency.

Bagudu noted that both states “have had a long history of trade, and that the signing of the MoU was another way of cementing the relationship with the view to making the people get richer. Lagos is the most entrepreneurial part of Nigeria.

“Lagos, if it were a country itself, is a country that other states will be going to establish a relationship with, and so why not state to state. So, what we are doing is to pioneer a collaboration that will bring other states on board later as we believe that our potentials are enormous, and we must have pacesetters to start that process of joint collaboration for our collective good.”

Giving an insight into the signing of the agreement, Ambode acknowledged that the ceremony was to formalise an agreement between Lagos and Kebbi States “to enter into a partnership for food processing, production and distribution.”

He further explained that both states “are embarking on a joint venture to feed our people, establish commercial enterprises, create employment and wealth distribution for the benefit of both states and the country in general.
“The future of Lagos State is partly tied to deliberate resolution on food security. Likewise, food production and self-sufficiency require our immediate attention at policy and strategic levels to sustain ourselves.”

Also, Ambode pointed out that Lagos State “is the largest consumer of food commodities in the country by virtue of its large population. The state has the market, with the required purchasing power. The state has an estimated consumption of over 798,000 metric tons of milled rice per year which is equivalent to 15.96 million of 50 kilogramme bags with a value of N135 billion per annum.

“We have the economic prowess to produce rice locally. The era of imported rice is gone. The reality is for all of us to embrace the consumption of local food and commodities. In addition to rice, the state is presently consuming 6,000 herds of cattle daily which may increase to 8,000 in the next five years.

“The bulk of vegetables produced in the country end up in the Lagos markets. The state is one of the largest producers of poultry and thus has a large demand for maize for livestock feed production. The state also houses most of the industrial users of wheat and sorghum-mostly flour mills, bakeries, breweries and food manufacturers.”
For Kebbi State, Ambode said it “is blessed with a vast arable land suitable for the cultivation of rice, wheat, ground nut, maize, sorghum and sugar cane. It is an agrarian state with over 1.2 million hectares of arable land characterised by very large floodplains, lowland swamps and gentle slopes.

“In the 2014 /2015 wet season, over 600,000 hectares of land was deployed for rice cultivation in the three senatorial areas of the state. The collaboration is in line with the clarion call and policy direction given by President Buhari on the need to feed ourselves.”



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If this come into reality, it will have a boost on both state economy. I blv kebbi will benefit more cos lagos is known for consuming.

Looking forward to more state to state collaboration. That's the way to go!! Nigeria is really a great nation with enormous potentials. Let's unlock our potentials.

This is hw things shld be done.
Unlike b4 whn u'll be hearing so nd so state partners with poland, jamaica, russia, belgium.
To grow this country, state governments ve to wake u nd start partnering together. Looking forward to more of this.
Nigeria will be great again.

EKITI IS ALSO CAPABLE.

I believe both Benue and Plateau can do this!!!!!

I wish the states good luck. At least we need cheap quality foods locally produced!

Let me see who will tribalise this News again

This is mere publicity but it's still alright as long as they're producing rice instead of terrorists.

A step in the right direction
Naija will be great again

If you like account for 90%, all I know is over here in the East...SE and SS, we consume only Abakaliki rice.

Here they go again...ban importation with hope of helping North and SW. Even a blind man knows that Ebonyi rice is most sought after rice in Nigeria. Who knows Lagos and Kebbi rice? Even Anambra rice is popular than these two.

SS and SE...buy and support our own only...Ebonyi, Rivers, Anambra rice pls!

Way to go... It's really sad that the black man always has to wait until the point of death before he uses his head. There's absolutely no reason why there cant be a nationwide revolution in rice and other food production. Nigeria has no business importing any food stuff, rather we should be feeding other hungry African countries. Kudos (in advance) to the Lagos and Kebbi governments 'IF' they can achieve this within 1 year. And yeah! 1 year isn't impossible.

Buhari is doing it haue been hearing good news about nigeria today on nairaland.pls where r the wailers crew

Act first then speak later, that way I will believe u guys!!!

The much awaited agricultural revolution is being reinvigorated by the indefatigable President Buhari.

The swathes of fadama land in the North must be fully exploited, as well as the rich fields in the South, so we can revert to being an export based regional and National economy.

Kudos PMB.

new2020:
If you like account for 90%, all I know is over here in the East...SE and SS, we consume only Abakaliki rice.

What were the 6 Dangote trucks that were burnt by iPad protesters in Onitsha carrying if not rice?

Lagos ke
Where the land dey for lagos abii nah Ibeju Lekki wey Omonile don almost sell finish..

Abakiliki will now produce 10% abii
Akuko Mike Ejiaha...

Cool story...

“In the 2014 /2015 wet season, over 600,000 hectares of land was deployed for rice cultivation in the three senatorial areas of the state. The collaboration is in line with the clarion call and policy direction given by President Buhari on the need to feed ourselves.”

Which one is the 2014/2015 wet season?
is it may-october 2014 or may/October 2015?

Good initiative.

Don't worry peeps, the brilliant and intelligent hardworking people of South East Nigeria will make sure there is enough rice in the entire Africa at all times and at all cost.
We got your back.

Good thinking, Good rice

Welcome development

This is happening...while Fayose of Ekiti is busy antagonising Buhari.. Ekiti people should be ashamed of themselves.

Nice

new2020:
If you like account for 90%, all I know is over here in the East...SE and SS, we consume only Abakaliki rice.

Never seen abakaliki rice here. We only know of ofada and ilesha rice

stevebond007:
EKITI IS ALSO CAPABLE.

Yes Capable in d pomo cutting aspect

Bravo to the two govs, we can achieve more if pride,arrogance,selfishness, and people oriented policies and programmes like this is sustain and emulate by various states of the federation.
God Bless Nigeria!!!

Kebbi has the land, Lagos has the market. The relationship makes sense.

stevebond007:
EKITI IS ALSO CAPABLE.

Flat-heads from erosion ravaged land be Like

Another APC propaganda machine- Ebonyi is the highest producer of Rice in Nigeria.

new2020:
If you like account for 90%, all I know is over here in the East...SE and SS, we consume only Abakaliki rice.

Here they go again...ban importation with hope of helping North and SW. Even a blind man knows that Ebonyi rice is most sought after rice in Nigeria.

These guys are irredeemable. N. Kanu did a wonderful job at twisting brains. Even in his absence, the brains still dey twist dey go.

DICKtator:
I believe both Benue and Plateau can do this!!!!!

Of course they can achieve much more than this, no jokes. Benue isn't called food basket for no reason. But unfortunately, most of the food they grow is done on a subsistent level. A dearth of visionary leadership is the bane of Nigeria, everybody just sits down and waits for oil money from Niger-Delta. If not for the immediate hunger that follows, sometimes I just wish oil dries up completely from Nigeria.

new2020:
If you like account for 90%, all I know is over here in the East...SE and SS, we consume only Abakaliki rice.

Here they go again...ban importation with hope of helping North and SW. Even a blind man knows that Ebonyi rice is most sought after rice in Nigeria

Flat-heads from erosion ravaged land be Like
Another APC propaganda machine- Ebonyi is the highest
producer of Rice in Nigeria.