At a May 19 ceremony in Argungu, Nigeria, U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard joined Kebbi State Executive Governor H.E. Sen. Abubakar Bagudu and private and public-sector stakeholders committed to ensuring food security in Nigeria to launch a co-investment partnership between the USAID-funded West Africa Trade &  Investment Hub (Trade Hub) and WACOT Rice. 

The partnership promises to improve the livelihoods of smallholder rice farmers in the country, whose success is  crucial to feeding a burgeoning population. Rice is a major staple in Nigeria, but production and supply in Kebbi  State, a major producer of rice, has suffered a setback because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

In response, the Trade Hub awarded a $1.48 million co-investment grant to WACOT Rice. The company operates  a state-of-the-art rice mill in Argungu and sources unprocessed rice from across the country. WACOT also engages  farmers who produce and supply rice to boost their yields and guarantees off-take of unprocessed rice from  farmers through buyback arrangements. The Trade Hub grant will allow the company to add 5,000 additional  smallholder rice farmers into its Argungu Rice Outgrower Expansion Project launched to increase local production.  The co-investment will create thousands of new jobs, increase yields by more than 50 percent, and help farmers  earn more.  

In her remarks, Ambassador Leonard highlighted the importance of partnering with the private sector to develop  sustainable solutions to improve food security, reduce poverty, and create jobs, particularly for women.  

“We know the challenges faced by women farmers in owning lands and accessing finances and inputs—despite  women being key to making a significant impact for future generations,” the Ambassador said. “We hope this  activity will improve the livelihoods of women farmers and their families in Kebbi State.”  

Joining Ambassador Leonard and the Governor at the event were Rahul Savara, Group Managing Director for  Tropical General Investments, the parent company of WACOT Rice, and other notable stakeholders. The Trade Hub grant to WACOT Rice was made possible through Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative that works with partner countries to develop their agriculture sectors. In  Nigeria, Feed the Future focuses on modernizing practices and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in five value chains: maize, rice, soy, cowpea, and aquaculture. 

About USAID: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. government  agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their  potential. 

About West Africa Trade & Investment Hub: The West Africa Trade & Investment Hub (Trade Hub) is a USAID funded initiative to co-invest with the private sector to generate new private investment, create new jobs, and  increase the value of regional and international exports in West Africa. 

About Feed the Future: Feed the Future is the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative. Feed  the Future works hand-in-hand with partner countries to develop their agriculture sectors and break the vicious  cycle of poverty and hunger. In Nigeria, Feed the Future focuses on modernizing practices and improving the  livelihood of smallholder farmers in five targeted value chains: maize, rice, soy, cowpea, and aquaculture. 

About WACOT Rice Limited: WACOT Rice Limited (WACOT Rice) is a rice processing company that operates a  state-of-the-art rice mill in Argungu, Kebbi State, Nigeria. The mill is one of the largest rice mills in Africa and sources paddy from various paddy-producing states across Nigeria. WACOT Rice also engages in out-grower farming programs with paddy farmers to boost their yields and guarantees off-take of paddy from farmers through buyback arrangements. 

Thanks for reading and for your interest in Africa. Content is produced in collaboration between Africa.com’s editorial team and our partners — including nongovernmental organizations, private sector stakeholders, agencies and institutions. If you are interested in telling stories in an impactful way to shine a spotlight on a particular issue, please email [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.  

Source: Read Full Article