Nigeria Overtakes Egypt In Rice Production, Becomes Sagest Grower In Africa

Nigeria has increased its rice production to around 4 million metric tonnes annually, not thanks to support from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) anchor borrowing scheme and this has put the country atop of producers in the continent. but this figure is short of the 5.8 million metric tonnes being touted by the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN).

RIFAN has consistently claimed that its members have the capacity to produce about 24 million metric tonnes of rice yearly, giving the right environment.

The group claimed there are about 12 million rice farmers across the country, but the figure cannot be independently confirmed.

Nigeria has, however, overtook Egypt, which was the largest producer of the grain in time past. Egypt hitherto used to produce 4.3 metric tonnes yearly but production has reduced by almost 40 percent this year, yielding the first position to Nigeria.

Harold Roy-Macauley, the director general of Africa Rice Center, Benin Republic, who disclose the data said the drop in Egypt rice production was due to the decision of the government to limit cultivation to preserve water resources.

Egypt rice cultivation requires about 1.8 billion metres of water in evaporation, transpiration and irrigation each year.
He said the entire continent produces an average of 14.6 million tonnes of rough rice annually.

He said there were efforts to increase overall rice production in Africa but expressed doubts that it will curb rice importation as population has increased across the continent.
He said consumers are looking for rice that is safe and certified.
To meet expectations, he said his centre is ready to partner with Nigeria and other governments in Africa to train farmers, extension officers and exporters on best practice in cultivation and post-harvest care and to understand market requirements.
Roy- Macauley stressed the African rice value chain needs to be better integrated and be capable of competing with imported rice in terms of quality.
He added that the goal to achieving rice self- sufficiency is not just about farm assistance but also involves introducing rice varieties that fit the diverse African agro-ecologies, improve irrigation facilities and disseminate rice growing techniques to farmers.