Nigeria Needs 22 Million Metric Tons of Rice Annually, Says Minister

By Diafa Doubra,

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has revealed that Nigeria requires about 22 million metric tons of rice annually to meet local demand and ensure national food security. Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, the Minister emphasized that the country’s current production level still falls short of the required target, a gap that continues to drive up prices and increase dependence on imports.

Kyari explained that although local rice production has improved significantly in recent years due to government interventions and private sector investment, climate change, flooding, and high input costs have slowed progress. He stressed the need for increased investment in mechanized farming, improved seed varieties, and efficient irrigation systems to boost productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.

The Minister also assured that the Federal Government is collaborating with state governments and development partners to provide farmers with better access to credit and agricultural inputs. According to him, the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to achieving self-sufficiency in rice production and making Nigeria a net exporter of the staple crop in the near future.