In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to ensure food security and self-sufficiency, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, has announced that the Mabeli Rice with 200 metric tons per day capacity, would soon be commissioned by the Federal Government.
The Minister made this disclosure during the inspection of the Rice Mill facility in Suleja, Niger State on Thursday, December 28, 2023, emphasizing that the goal is to improve processing, food quality, and nutrition, which are crucial aspects for the current administration.
Sen. Kyari commended the Managing Director of MV. Agro Engineers Nig. Ltd, the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, and the Ministry, stating that the rice was both grown and processed in Nigeria and can meet international standards.
“We have seen, gone round and will commission this rice mill in the nearest future,” said Sen. Kyari.
Speaking on the capacity of the rice mill, he noted that it can produce up to 200 metric tons per day. The Minister urged all rice farmers to be prepared in the next few weeks, assuring that the Ministry would reach out to them and roll out programs for rice cultivation in the dry season.
The Managing Director of MV Agro Engineers Nig. Ltd, Jamu Baba Dan’agundi, explained that the Rice Mill facility consists of four sections: intake, parboiling, milling, and packaging.
The Rice Mill operates as a private sector initiative under a public-private partnership.
During the inspection, the Minister also visited the Nigerian Agricultural Demonstration Center in Ushafa, FCT, which focuses on Rice Seed production, Maigandu Quality Milled Rice, Sesame Oil, Flour mill, Tractors, and Drone technology for chemical spraying, among other activities.