FG inaugurates WACOT Rice out-grower scheme.

FG inaugurates WACOT Rice out-grower scheme.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, on Monday launched WACOT Rice Limited’s 2024 dry season farming inputs distribution to out-grower farmers in Argungu, Kebbi State.

A statement said the out-grower programme seeks to increase the quality of smallholder farmer livelihoods via access to required agri-input financing, capacity-building in yield enhancement techniques, and good agronomic practices.

At the launch, Kyari inspected WACOT Rice’s state-of-the-art 250,000-ton mill, set to be inaugurated later this year. Expressing his satisfaction with the initiative, he emphasised its potential to significantly boost farmers’ productivity and income.

Commending WACOT Rice and its parent company, Tropical General Investments Group, Kyari highlighted their commitment to empowering farmers across various value chains nationwide.

He specifically noted TGI’s substantial investments in agriculture and other sectors, affirmed the alignment of the efforts with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope eight-point agenda

He said, “I am impressed with what I have seen. This project is heading in the right direction, utilising the farm produce from local farmers for raw materials.

“The government stands ready to support initiatives like WACOT Rice, recognising their potential to create jobs and improve livelihoods. As part of our strategic focus, we are actively considering creating farmland for WACOT Rice, further enhancing our agricultural capabilities.”

The Chairman of WACOT Rice and Vice Chairman (Africa) of TGI Group, Farouk Gumel, emphasised WACOT Rice’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s food security.

He highlighted the inclusivity of the out-grower programme, supporting farmers of all demographics with certified seeds, agrochemicals, and training sessions to enhance productivity and income.

Gumel expressed enthusiasm for hosting special guests at the project site, acknowledging that the general understanding of their initiatives might be limited.

He stated, “Whenever we have special guests visit us here, we get very excited. The feedback we receive encourages us to intensify our efforts in production.

“The community here is peaceful, inclusive, and accepting, and what we’ve achieved is not just a result of hard work but also the love shown by the host community.

“This encouragement is what propelled us to undertake some of the initiatives we have implemented. If more investors in Nigeria extend their reach into the rural economy and replicate similar projects, our country could gain an unparalleled competitive advantage.”