Agric Ministry partners CARD to upscale rice production

Rice production in Nigeria is to receive a boost as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security partnered with the Coalition for African Rice Development, CARD. This was made known by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, at the 2025 Annual Rice Sector Review meeting with the theme ‘Reviewing Progress Mobilizing Partnership’ held in Abuja. Ogunbiyi who was represented by the Director, Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services Department, Oshadiya Olanipekun said the meeting provides a unique opportunity not only to review progress under the National Rice Development Strategy II (NRDS, 2020-2030), but aimed at strengthening partnerships and mobilize investments that would transform Nigeria’s rice sector into a globally competitive industry. He also said the Nigerian rice sector is ripe for investment in mechanization, climate smart technologies, modern processing and milling facilities to boost rice production across the country.
In attendance at the meeting are representatives of Coalition for African Rice Development, CARD, Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA, Africa Rice, and International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, among others. Meanwhile, according to the Permanent Secretary, “Nigeria has made remarkable strides in rice production. Yields have improved through the adoption of better agronomic practices and improved seed varieties. “Processing capacity has expanded and greater participation of youth and women is soaring in the rice value chain. These are milestones we must be proud of and make an effort to sustain.
Technical and financial support on the remaining plans can help unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s rice sector—creating jobs, reducing import dependency, ensuring food and nutrition security, and contributing to Africa’s broader agricultural transformation agenda under CARD. The Nigerian rice sector is ripe for investment in areas such as: Mechanization and climate smart technologies adoption to boost productivity per hectare, Modern processing and milling facilities to ensure quality rice that meets global standards, Climate-smart rice production systems to build resilience against environmental shocks amongst others.” He also urged stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to advancing the rice agenda, not just for Nigeria but across Africa under the CARD framework. In a goodwill message, the Regional Adviser, CARD, Mr Mike Nasamu, said that rice remained a key staple in Nigeria and that the review meeting would help shape a more sustainable food system.