Lagos State Government has revealed that its multi-billion naira rice mill under construction will be completed before the year runs out.

The State’s Ministry Of Agriculture disclosed that the 32 metric-ton-per-hour rice mill cited in Imota area of the state, was at an 80 percent completion stage.

Local farmer groups within the state are also set to be integrated into the project to cultivate rice paddies, with the government providing farm inputs and equipment.

With the proposed integration, the mill is expected to create over 250,000 jobs in the rice value chain.

Prince Gbolahan Lawal, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, said that the food supply needs of the state have spurred the state in fostering agri-business activities

He further stated that agriculture was a platform for development, as well as attracting investments to boost the state’s economy and for sustainable growth.

“The increasing population in Lagos has put pressure on the state’s food security, supply mechanism and available infrastructure, hence the need to prepare adequately to meet the challenges of upscaling food production cannot be overemphasized

“To meet the paddy requirement of the Mill, we have undertaken a backward integration in the form of collaboration with other states like South-western States, Kwara, Sokoto, Benue, Borno, and Kebbi.

“This will be done leveraging on the Anchor Borrower Scheme of the Central Bank of Nigeria am with the Rice Mill as the off-taker of the products,” the commissioner said.

The mill according to reports, is also expected to produce about 2.4 million freshly processed 50kg bags of rice per annum.

In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the project would mitigate the harsh realities of the resultant food insecurity, import dependence, and unemployment.

SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA