Farmers in the rice value chain are exploring measures to bridge the about two point three million metric tonnes local rice production gap in Nigeria.

This huge gap, they say, provides a lot of opportunity for both investors in the business and prospective rice farmers.

In 2016, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation said Nigeria imported two point three million metric tonnes of rice, which is about half the country’s estimated requirement during the review period.

Data from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development put the total demand for rice in Nigeria at about five point five million Metric Tonnes a year, of which about three point three million Metric Tonnes is produced locally, leaving a shortfall of about two point two million Metric Ton which is being imported, validating the 2016 report of the UNFAO.