In 2008, the Lagos State Government embarked on the Development of the Rice Value Chain towards encouraging local production to ensure food security, empowering the people by creating jobs and wealth, stimulating the State’s economy and reducing import dependency. The step taken was in recognition of rice as an important staple consumed by over 80% of the population as it can be made into a variety of dishes. Such huge and widespread consumption of rice suggests that the product must always be in supply to avoid food crisis particularly among the over 24 million people in the State.
The State therefore committed huge resources to building the capacity of farmers, breeding a new generation of rice producers, and building infrastructure that would support the rice ecosystem. Lagos has also partnered other States in the country that have comparative advantage in the production of rice such Kebbi State, led to the production of LAKE Rice.
In order to further enhance local production, the State in 2011 decided to venture into the downstream sector of the Chain by establishing a rice processing mill. To further increase capacity, a much larger mill of 32mt/hr capacity, the largest in Sub Saharan Africa was initiated in 2017.
The completion of the Lagos Rice Mill is part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu’s commitment towards a more food secure lagos. The establishment of the Rice Mill will reduce cost of rice locally, enhance food self-sufficiency and increase revenue generation in the State.
The project has enhanced infrastructural development and increased economic activities in Imota, a part of the Ikorodu division and its environs, and significantly contributed to job creation.
The Mill will produce 2.5 million bags of 50Kg rice per annum,reduce dependence on importation and create over 250,000 direct and indirect jobs across Nigeria.
