Our $1 billion investment in rice cultivation to boost self-sufficiency, says Dangote

To aid the realisation of the nation’s self-sufficiency plan in rice production, Dangote Group has unveiled plans to invest $1 billion in rice cultivation in five states of the country.

According to the group, the fertilizer plant being developed at the Lekki Free Trade zone will boost the realization of the goal.

Speaking at the just concluded 2017 Gateway Trade fair, in Abeokuta, a Director of Dangote Group, Tunde Mabogunje who represented the Group at the special day said that the Group is at the forefront of job creation and is the largest employer of labour outside federal government having contributing its quota to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy for more three decades.

He said: “We have been contributing our quota to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. Towards aiding agriculture, we are building a fertilizer plant in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos State. When completed, farmers will have regular access to fertilizer for their farming activities. The delays and disruptions experienced in waiting for imported fertilizer will cease.

“We are investing about $1 billion in rice cultivation. We have an outgrowers scheme where thousands of farmers are empowered with improved seeds and items needed to cultivate rice.

“Towards aiding agriculture, we are building a fertilizer plant in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos State. When completed, farmers will have regular access to fertilizer for their farming activities. The delays and disruptions experienced in waiting for imported fertilizer will cease. We are investing about $1 billion in rice cultivation in some states of the federation. We have an outgrowers scheme where thousands of farmers are empowered with improved seeds and items needed to cultivate rice.”

He described the theme for this year’s Trade Fair. ‘Promoting Agricultural Value Chain through SMEs for Nigeria Economic Recovery’ as being apt given the nation is now paying attention to agriculture, which has the potential of becoming the major driver of the economy.
To mark its day at the Fair, a subsidiary of the Group, Dangote Cement, gave out several tools and equipment to block makers in Ogun State in recognition of their patronage.

Commending Dangote Group for its sponsorship and participation at the Fair, President of Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) Mrs. Adesola Adebutu said the support given by the Group went a long way in making the staging of the Fair a success.
She commended the group for its giant strides in economic development of the country through massive investments in several sectors of the economy describing the feat as worthy of emulation by other Nigerians.