AreaNigeria

Commodity GroupRice

CommodityAll

Date15/12/2022

Policy CategoryProduction

Policy InstrumentProduction support, self-sufficiency strategy

DescriptionPresented the second phase of the National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS II), aiming to have the country reach full self-sufficiency in rice and produce an exportable surplus by 2030. The strategy sets out a paddy production target of 34 million tonnes by 2030, envisaging to increase rainfed lowland areas with supplementary irrigation from 450 000 hectares in 2020 to 1.2 million hectares by 2030, doubling irrigated areas with full water control to 1.5 million hectares, while gradually reducing rainfed upland areas. It also targets to raise average yields to 4 tonnes per hectare in rainfed upland areas, to 6 tonnes per hectare in rainfed lowlands, and to 7.5 tonnes per hectare in irrigated areas. Actions envisaged to this end would include the introduction of eight high-yielding climate-smart rice varieties, the development of two hybrid varieties, improvements in the quality of inputs used by farmers, increased use of certified seeds, training, the establishment of demonstration farms for good agricultural practices and increasing the number of extension agents. Among other measures, mechanization and improved milling efficiency would also be promoted and clustering of farmers and millers encouraged to improve their access to markets and financial services.