Nigeria, April 2021
Working Week for the formulation of Concept Notes Nigeria NRDS
1.0 Background of the working week
The National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS2) for Nigeria was formulated in 2019 and validated in March 2020, further activities such as concept notes formulation, launching of the document and subsequently fund matching with potential development partners were put on hold due to the COVID 19 pandemic, recently the task force decided to continue with the formulation of concept notes to facilitate investment in the rice sector, bearing in mind that if this is not done gains achieved during NRDS1 may be eroded.
Objective and Results of the working week
A working week was held at Bolton White Hotel Abuja from 26th– 30th April 2021 with the objective of formulating concept notes for investment in the rice sector, participants (task force) members were drawn from relevant ministries agencies and departments, present also was JICA advisor to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Key outputs/Results
The participants were divided into 4 sub-groups made up of i) seed system, ii) mechanization iii) processing/marketing and iv) finance for an in-depth discussions and prioritization of areas for possible investment that could lead to the development of the rice sector, at the conclusion of the working week fifteen (15) concept notes were formulated as follows:
<Seed system sub-group>
The seed system sub group concluded that investment in improving the capacity of staff of the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) and upgrading their infrastructures and that of the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) as well as building the capacity of seed companies is key to increasing quality certified seed in the market, therefore the following concept notes were developed: (i) capacity building of NCRI staff in the production of early generation seed (EGS) and variety maintenance; (ii) establishment of seed testing laboratory, rehabilitation and upgrading of infrastructures at NCRI; (iii) improve seed quality assurance infrastructures at the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC); and (iv) capacity building of selected seed companies in Foundation Seed production, out-growers in certified seed production and agro dealers in quality seed handling techniques.
<Mechanization sub-group>
Due to the importance of mechanization in developing the rice sector the sub group outlined five critical areas of investments to improve the rice industry these include: (i) development of lowland ecology for rice farming; (ii) upgrading of rice machinery development workshops at National Center for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM); (iii) capacity building of engineers and technicians of NCAM, Agricultural Machines and Machineries Operators Training Center (AMMOTRAC), Blacksmith Support Unit (BATSU) and Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA); (iv) construction and reactivation of head dykes, tube wells, wash bores and channelization for expansion of lowland areas; and (v) support for the establishment of Africa Field Innovation Centre for Agricultural Technology (AFICAT).
<Processing and Marketing sub-group>
In order to enhance the competitiveness of the locally milled rice in the market to be able to compete with the imported brands, the processing/marketing sub group focused the development of the three (3) concept notes on the following areas: (i) improving quality and value addition to milled rice; (ii) improving on-field post-harvest handling and management practices; and (iii) improving the competitiveness, branding, and marketing of made-in-Nigeria rice and rice side products.
<Finance sub-group>
Making finance available to the smallholder farmers is key to the success of the farmers and thus the development of the rice sector. Therefore, the finance sub-group developed the following concept notes: (i) promoting inclusive digital finance for small holder rice value chain actors; and (ii) strengthening the rice value chain statistics system in Nigeria.
Finally a financial framework to guide investments in the NRDS was also developed by the finance sub-group. It is believed that this will guide all investments in the rice sector and give confidence to the private sector investors that their investment in the rice sector is safe and guaranteed.
<Way forward>
As a way forward the concept notes upon finalization will be shared by the focal point to the relevant ministry officials thereafter a fund matching to Development Partners will commence. The validation of the financial framework is also proposed, while the NRDS accompanied by the concept notes will be launched before the end of the year.
(Photo the above: Group photograph of participants at the NRDS concept note formulation workshop)
