Nigeria, March 2020

NRDS2 Validation Workshop in Nigeria

The second generation of National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS2) marks a significant milestone in the quest for enhancing rice production in Nigeria. Validated during a comprehensive one-day stakeholder’s workshop held on March 4, 2020, at Bolton White Hotel in Abuja, the event witnessed the active participation of representatives from diverse sectors within the rice value chain. Notable attendees included stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academia, farmer’s organizations, and development partners. The workshop was organized with technical and financial support from GIZ.

At the beginning of the workshop, the draft NRDS2 was presented to the participants by a GIZ consultant, emphasizing six priority areas crucial for achieving the overarching goal of increased rice production. These priority areas are: i) Sustainable Paddy Production; ii) Seed Development; iii) Processing and Marketing; iv) Mechanization; v) Financial Mechanism; and vi) Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).

Following the presentation, robust discussions ensued, providing a platform for participants to contribute their insights, raise pertinent questions, and engage in collaborative problem-solving. Contributions were made by, among others, the representatives of Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA), GIZ’s Competitive African Rice Initiative (CARI) project, and JICA.

Later, the participants actively engaged in a collaborative and participatory process by dividing themselves into four working groups. These groups were organized to represent the different thematic areas outlined in the NRDS2 document. Each working group was tasked with the responsibility of conducting an in-depth review of the document and proposing improvements to the specific thematic area they were assigned. Following the thorough review conducted by each working group, participants reconvened for discussions aimed at harmonizing the outcomes and recommendations from the different groups. This collaborative dialogue allowed for the integration of various insights, ensuring a well-rounded and inclusive approach to refining the NRDS2 document.

At the end of the deliberations, the GIZ consultant was mandated to incorporate all comments into the document, and the NRDS2 was validated.