Rice processing mills inaugurated in Anambra

A rice processing facility in Achalla, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been commissioned by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)/Federal Government of Nigeria-Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/VCDP) Technical Implementation Support Mission Team, led by Hajia Fatima Mukhtar-Buhari.

The mission team, which interacted with Agricultural Information and Marketing System (AIMS) Group and Community Agricultural Forum (CAF) beneficiaries, also visited the Coscharis Rice Milling complex at Igbariam, Oyi council area of the state, where local rice is processed.

Speaking while interacting with rice cluster beneficiaries during a two-day implementation support visit to the state, Hajia Mukhtar-Buhari, who is the IFAD/VCDP National Office Advisor, Market Enterprise Development, encouraged them to make the best use of incentives given to them.

According to her, the Federal Government would continue to look into their needs with a view to meeting them, while lamenting the delay in agricultural activities occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The member representing Awka North State Constituency, John Nwokoye, appreciated the visit to his constituency, which he described as the major food-basket of the state.

Nwokoye, who is the House Committee Chairman on Agriculture, said the visit was timely and coming on the heels of the negative impact of CIVID-19.

Earlier, the President-General of Achalla Improvement Union, Boniface Chigbo, said the establishment of solar-powered borehole, building of rice milling facility, and a thresher in the community had helped to empower the indigenes by creating access to potable water, power generation, and poverty reduction.