-Set to commission Mabeli Rice mill
By Kingsley Unah
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari, has expressed optimism about Nigeria becoming rice self-sufficient with local production.
This is as the minister has disclosed that Mabeli Rice Mill located in Suleja Niger State, is ready for commissioning for full operation in a couple of weeks.
The minister who revealed this during the inspection of the facility, Thursday in Suleja, Niger State, also disclosed that, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s mandate to ensure food security, self-sufficiency and sustainability, the Mill will be commissioned soon by the Government for operation to forestall the shortage of food supply in the country.
He pointed out that the essence was to enhance processing, food quality and nutrition which was very key to the present administration.
Speaking further, Abubakar commended the Managing Director MV. Agro Engineers Nig. Ltd, Managing Director Bank of Agriculture and the Ministry for the initiative, noting that Rice grown and processed in Nigeria can compete with International Standard.
The Minister said the Rice Mill can produce over 200 metric tons per day matching it with some of the largest producers of rice in the world. He alerted all the rice farmers to be ready for a notification from the Ministry for durable rice production/cultivation programmes initiatives for the dry season coming up within the next couple of weeks.
Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director, MV Agro Engineers Nig. Ltd, Jamu Baba Dan’agundi explained that the Rice Mill facility basically, is composed of four components; intake section, parboiling, milling and packaging.
Jamu noted that parboiling soften the Rice before milling, adding that though parboiling is a matter of choice. He pointed out that some countries do not undergo the process of parboiling their rice and even if they do, it does not remove the nutrient content of the Rice. He added that the Mill is a private sector initiative under public private partnership.
In a similar Development, the Minister also inspected the Nigerian Agricultural Demonstration Center in Ushafa, FCT.
According to the minister, the demonstration farm facility is into Rice Seed, which produced Maigandu Quality Milled Rice, Sesame Oil, Flour mill, Tractors, Drone for spraying chemicals among others.
Abubakar assured that the government of President Bola Tinubu is ready to partner all players of food production to ensure that Renewed Hope Agenda becomes a reality.
In attendance were Officials of the Ministry, Managing Director Bank of Agriculture, amongst others.