The Nigeria Agribusiness Register held its monthly agribusiness networking (AgNet) event with the theme: “Facilitating Establishment and Strengthening Paddy Aggregation Centres as a Pathway to Increasing Competitiveness of the Rice Value Chain in Nigeria” on April 18, 2019, in Abuja. There were two high points at the event: the panel discussion session which looked at the state of the rice industry in Nigeria and the way forward to improve its competitiveness; and the unveiling of the Paddy Aggregation Centres Strengthening Project to be implemented by the Commodity Development Initiative (CDI).

The aim of the project, according to Mr. Roland Oroh, Managing Director of CDI, “is to increase management and operational capacity of the PACs to engage better with farmers and millers and improve the financial viability of PACs in the country.” Meanwhile, the Nigeria Paddy Aggregation Centres Strengthening (NPACS) project has launched an initiative to support paddy aggregation centres.

The project was launched recently in Abuja by CDI – an agricultural development and agribusiness investment facilitation organisation based in Abuja. The NPACS project is a donor-funded initiative that seeks to support start-up, management and operational capacity of PACs in the country. Project Director of NPACS, Mr. Roland Oroh, said:  “Niger State being a significant producer of paddy rice but with limited private sector-driven paddy rice aggregation ecosystem is naturally a good location to kick off the NPACS intervention model, and we look forward to engaging with local stakeholders and investors in the state.” About 30 invited stakeholders are expected to be in attendance. Capacity strengthening and operational support measures will be unveiled and implemented after the consultative forum with donor assistance. The Niger State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture is  supporting the consultative forum.

SOURCE: DAILY TRUST