JAI to Invest $150m on Rice Production in Anambra State 25 Sep 2014 By Eromosele Abiodun Joseph Agro Industries Limited (JAI) has signed a backward integration memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Anambra State Government to invest an initial $150 million (N25 billion) for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Omor Rice Mill under a public–private partnership (PPP) arrangement. Executive Director JAI, Ken Irhiogbe, in a statement, said that China Machinery Equipment Corporation (CMEC), has been appointed technical partners to support in up-scaling the mill’s current capacity of 18,000 metric tonnes to an initial 100,000 metric tonnes, development of 14000 hectares of land into irrigated paddy fields and construction of a green energy bio mass power plant in Omor using rice husk as feedstock. “As part of its long-term strategic objective to ensure sustainability through technology transfer, the company will collaborate with the Confucius Institute, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka to produce Chinese speaking Nigerian students to understudy best rice technology practice,” he said. He added that JAI’s objective is to produce 167,000 metric tonnes of rice paddies using two cropping seasons while another 15,000 hectares is under negotiation, for development into highly irrigated rice paddy fields In his address, the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano commended JAI for its support for the state government’s cardinal points and objectives for agriculture and also in the process providing job opportunities for over 10,000 indigenes by using the out growers scheme. This development, according to the governor will greatly enhance the economic development of the State and Nigeria. He emphasized that with the progress already made by the State in rice production, the project will almost eliminate the state’s supply deficit. Obiano observed that the completion of the project will translate to accelerated development of human and technical capacity which will in turn enhance rice production in the State. He also noted that with the project coming on-stream, it will have direct impact on the growth of internally generated revenue for the State. In a bid to realise the goal of ensuring self-sufficiency in rice production by 2015, the federal government has said it is targeting the production of 1.6million metric tonnes of paddy rice during this dry season farming. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwumi Adesina, announced this in Abuja at a meeting with a delegation of farmers from Zamfara State. Adesina, who explained that about 1.1 million metric tonnes of paddy rice were produced in 10 selected Northern States, assured that in 2013, the federal government would support farmers to produce 1.6million metric tonnes of rice. He expressed optimism that Nigeria would be self-sufficient in rice production by 2015, noting that the present administration was deeply committed to ensuring that Nigeria becomes a power-house in food production
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 22:24:35 +0000
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