By YANGE IKYAA
The United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, has joined Kebbi State governor, Atiku Bagudu, the private and public-sector stakeholders committed to ensuring food security in Nigeria to launch a new co-investment partnership between the USAID-funded West Africa Trade & Investment Hub and the indigenous firm, WACOT Rice.
The partnership promises to improve the livelihoods of smallholder rice farmers in the country, whose success is crucial to feeding a burgeoning population. Rice is a major staple in Nigeria, but production and supply in Kebbi State, a major producer of rice, has suffered a setback because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, the Trade Hub awarded the $1.48 million co-investment grant, which will allow WACOT to integrate 5,000 additional smallholder rice farmers into its special Argungu Rice Outgrower Expansion Project launched to increase local production. The co-investment is expected to create thousands of new jobs, increase yields by more than 50 percent, and help farmers earn more.
WACOT Rice operates a state-of-the-art rice mill in Argungu, a major agricultural town in Kebbi State. The mill is one of the largest rice mills in Africa and sources unprocessed rice from across the country. WACOT also engages farmers who produce and supply rice to boost their yields and guarantees off-take of unprocessed rice from farmers through buyback arrangements.
In her remarks, Ambassador Leonard highlighted the importance of partnering with the private sector in developing sustainable solutions to improve food security, reduce poverty, and create jobs, particularly for women.
“We know the challenges faced by women farmers in owning lands and accessing finances and inputs, despite women being key to making a significant impact for future generations,” the ambassador said.
“We hope this activity will improve the livelihoods of women farmers and their families in Kebbi State.”
Joining Ambassador Leonard and the Kebbi governor at the event were Rahul Savara, group managing director for Tropical General Investments, the parent company of WACOT Rice, as well as other notable stakeholders.
The USAID support to Kebbi State is leveraging the structures of Feed the Future, which is the US government’s global hunger and food security initiative that works hand-in-hand with partner countries to develop their agricultural sectors.
In Nigeria, Feed the Future focuses on modernizing agricultural practices and improving livelihoods of smallholder farmers in five value chains, which are maize, rice, soybean, cowpea, and aquaculture.
USAID leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help nations progress beyond assistance.
In Nigeria, USAID supports health systems strengthening, transparent and accountable governance, basic education, and a more market-led, trade-friendly economy.
