FGN and Bühler and collaborate to improve rice production and food security in Nigeria

Nigeria and Bühler are working together to increase rice production throughout the nation. The initiative, which involves both the state and federal governments, was started in 2017 with an agreement for the purchase of a rice mill in Imota. Both levels of government have realized the value of increasing the independence and security of their food supply.

In order to boost rice production in Nigeria, Bühler has partnered with the national government. An initiative that includes the purchase of eight smaller mills supported by the federal government, as well as a rice mill in Imota, was started in 2017. One of the eight mills has already been put into operation. The Nigerian government, both at the state and federal levels, is aware of how critical it is to increase the nation’s food supply’s security and self-sufficiency.

The rice industry is important to Nigeria’s efforts to improve food security, and the government’s current push to invest in rice mills across the country is supported by products from Bühler Nigeria.

Since it first arrived in Nigeria more than 50 years ago, the multinational Swiss family business has made a name for itself as the country’s primary source of technology for raising rice production and processing to worldwide standards. The National Rice Development Strategy-II (2020-2030) and the Competitive African Rice Initiative were launched by the federal government in December 2013 in order to guarantee surplus rice production for export, food security, and employment creation. The government’s objectives of self-sufficiency in rice production, food and nutrition security, employment creation, and production of surplus for export are all being met under the NRDS-II, a ten-year plan for the growth of the rice industry.

Bühler, one of the top producers of processing equipment and facilities worldwide, supports the Nigerian government’s goal of increasing food production in a sustainable and effective manner. “We are the ideal partner to assist the government with its food security initiatives by introducing the latest trends and technology to Nigeria in order to increase productivity and efficiency in the food sector,” claims Manuel Murrenhoff, Managing Director Bühler Nigeria.

The completely automated Imota rice mill, which was opened in January of this year by Muhammadu Buhari, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, serves as an example of the collaboration with Bühler. According to Iyore Amadasun, Sales & Channel Business Manager for Bühler Nigeria, the rice business in the nation is going to undergo a revolution thanks to what is reportedly the largest rice manufacturing facility in sub-Saharan Africa, with an annual production of roughly 2.5 million 50 kilogram bags. When operating at full capacity, it will lower rice prices, boost domestic production, and ultimately improve Nigeria’s trade balance.

By 2050, Nigeria, which currently has the sixth- largest population in the world, is expected to overtake the United States and rank among the top three nations. Accordingly, the current 216 million population is projected to grow to 401 million by 2050 and reach a peak of 732 million by 2100. The Nigerian government faces a challenge in feeding this expanding population in a sustainable and effective manner, and Bühler is dedicated to helping the country achieve food independence by offering dependable food processing technologies.

Bühler Nigeria held its first customer experience day in August 2022 with the slogan “Thriving through Collaboration.” In his keynote speech on the theme “Africa on the Rise – Feeding the Continent of Possibilities,” Manuel Murrenhoff referred to Bühler Nigeria’s assistance to Nigeria in achieving food security, including the establishment of a grain processing innovation center in Kano. “We are assisting Nigeria to achieve food independence and enhance food security by providing technical solutions and a full range of services to support food producers in Nigeria,” claims Manuel Murrenhoff.

Bühler Nigeria can build a more sustainable future for everyone by making investments in new technologies, collaborations, innovation, and education. Industry and the government have clearly accepted full responsibility as evidenced by the strong resonance and favorable comments received