Commissioner visits rice factory in Ifelodun LGA, says Kwara set to emerge Nigeria’s leading processing hub
The Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to making the state a hub for food processing and value addition.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, while making another visitation to “I-Need Rice Mill” in Elerinjare Ibobo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, facilitated by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), commended the establishment of the facility for its pivotal role in transforming the state’s agricultural narrative.
The commissioner, while highlighting Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s strategic focus on ensuring that goods and produce from Kwara are processed within the state, said this will enhance value addition and reduce reliance on imports while boosting local economies.
She said, “The days when Kwara was known merely as a producer of raw agricultural commodities are fading. We are building a new Kwara—one that processes and adds value to what we produce, particularly rice. Being one of the leading rice-producing states, Kwara State is well-positioned to become the leading State in rice processing. This strategic shift ensures that our people benefit from fresh, locally grown and processed foods while driving economic growth in the State. We are also going to collaborate with NEPC to promote the export of made-in-Kwara products.”
The Commissioner also commended “I-Need Rice Mill” for its remarkable achievements, which include a 100-ton rice polishing machine and capacity to produce over 2,000 bags of rice daily, saying this aligns with the state’s objective of reducing post-harvest losses, creating jobs, and improving the livelihoods of farmers and processors across the value chain.
Mrs Thomas also expressed her admiration for the inclusion of women in the workforce at the mill, aligning with Governor AbdulRazaq’s commitment to gender inclusion and empowerment while encouraging the staff to remain dedicated to their duties and lauded the management for their innovation and resilience in addressing agricultural challenges.
Commissioner visits KWEPA office, urges staff to intensify efforts of cleaner Kwara
The visit facilitated by NEPC also highlighted the Council’s commitment to promoting agricultural products for export. Mr. Tajudeen Olaoye, representing the NEPC, commended the State government for its remarkable strides in agriculture. He noted that under the leadership of Governor AbdulRazaq, Kwara State has witnessed significant progress in farming, harvest, and food processing. “Our intention at NEPC is to promote agricultural products for export. I am particularly interested in supporting rice processing in Kwara State, given its potential to contribute to national and global markets,” he said.
The Chairman of I-Need Agro-Allied Investment Ltd., Mr Sodiq Ibrahim, expressed his gratitude to the government and NEPC for their unwavering support, stating, “Our mission is to assist the community and Kwara State as a whole. With the backing of the government and collaboration with NEPC, we can ensure Kwara becomes a leading rice processing hub in Nigeria.”
The Olusabi of Elerinjare Ibobo, His Royal Majesty Oba Tajudeen Bello (Olaitan II), also praised the government’s support for agricultural and community development. He reiterated his commitment to encouraging agricultural investments in his community, including providing land to facilitate such projects.
The tour of the I-Need Rice Mill’s facilities, which included the cassava processing unit, paddy rice storage, rice processing plants, and boilers for parboiling rice, underscored the government’s intention to ensure every part of the agricultural value chain is optimised.
