Niger State Partners with AfricaRice to Boost Annual Rice Production to 10 Million Metric Tons by 2030
csrreporters 
In a bold move to strengthen food security and drive agricultural innovation, Niger State has signed a landmark partnership with the Africa Rice Centre (AfricaRice) to scale its annual rice production to an ambitious 10 million metric tons by 2030. The initiative aims to transform the state into a major rice-producing hub in Nigeria and a model for sustainable agribusiness across Africa.
The agreement was sealed during a strategic visit by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to AfricaRice’s headquarters, where both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership focuses on technology transfer, infrastructure development, research collaboration, and farmer capacity building.
Governor Bago described the collaboration as pivotal in repositioning Niger State at the forefront of Nigeria’s food self-sufficiency goals.
“This partnership is a golden opportunity to scale innovations and transform our rice value chain. With AfricaRice’s support, we’re poised to multiply our output and make food insecurity a thing of the past,” he stated.
Currently producing about 1.5 million metric tons of rice annually, Niger State aims to increase production sixfold by 2030. The strategy leverages AfricaRice’s cutting-edge, climate-smart technologies tailored for African ecosystems, including integrated rice-fish systems and market-focused rice quality labs.
Governor Bago also toured AfricaRice’s Grain Quality Laboratory and the Rice Biodiversity Centre, which hosts the continent’s largest rice germplasm collection, key for breeding resilient rice varieties.
The agreement, signed with Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Ltd, was hailed by AfricaRice Director General, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, as visionary:
“Governor Bago’s 10-million-ton goal is ambitious but achievable. This partnership presents a replicable model for tackling food insecurity and climate challenges with science-driven solutions.”
As Nigeria’s rice demand continues to rise, this collaboration not only supports national goals for food sufficiency but also sets the stage for climate-resilient, knowledge-based agriculture. If successful, Niger State could serve as a blueprint for large-scale agricultural transformation across West Africa.