The Lagos State Government has said its 32 tonnes capacity Integrated Rice Mill at Imota, in Ikorodu area of Lagos, will be completed within the next seven months.
Commissioner for Agriculture Gbolahan Lawal revealed this on Thursday during a tour of the Rice Mill to assess the progress of work.
Lawal said the Imota Rice Mill upon completion would not only ensure that people ate nutritious rice but also create jobs and wealth for the people as well as enhance the supply value chain.
The commissioner, who was accompanied on the inspection by the Special Adviser to the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Olayiwole Onasanya, expressed their pleasure on the level of job executed at the sight.
He said that to ensure adequate supply of paddy rice, the state government was partnering with Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN) in the South-West and Northern parts of the country for the supply of rice paddy.
“Discussions are also underway for other states to make available to the state about 72, 000 hectares of land in their states for rice cultivation.”
Lawal said that the World Bank was also supporting the state government with more focus on agricultural value chain concept which include rice, poultry, piggery and aquaculture, while the capacity of rice farmers would be enhanced through the entire value chain system.
The integrated rice mill is a 22 hectares facility with the rice mill occupying about 8.5 hectares, which consist of a complete set of new mills, two warehouses 16 silos.
The mill has a storage capacity of 40 metric tonnes each, water treatment plant, effluent processing plant, staff quarters, administrative block, car park, and fire fighting facility among others.
NAN
