Al-Andalus Group has launched a rice mill in Kuje, Abuja, which it claims is the biggest in the Federal Capital Territory.
The chief executive officer of the group, Henry Chibuzor, at the commissioning of the mill, said the investment of over N1 billion had the capacity to produce 150 tonnes of rice, amounting to 3,000 bags per day.
Chubuzor said the mill would serve customers in the North-Central, and subsequently, the entire country. He added that lack of mills in the North-Central was making the price of rice too high in states within the zone.
“Despite large rice farming in states like Niger and Kogi, mills are inadequate in the North-Central. Most rice mills are located in the North-West and North-East, so we are trying to change such disparity in the rice farming business,” he said.
He noted that the Anchor Borrowers Programme by the federal government had brought succour to farmers, and it would enable the country to be self-sufficient in rice production. He urged government to invest in mechanised farming.
“One hectare can produce 70 to 90 bags of rice, but in Egypt, the same size will give you about 250 bags. It is not that they are different, it is the procedure used in farming. The milling process is not right, that is why we pay more for local rice than the foreign specie,” he said, adding that the mill would provide 500 direct and indirect jobs.
