The Lagos State Government has announced plans to release an additional 20,000 bags of Eko Rice for distribution during the Yuletide season in December. This comes after 20,000 bags were released in November, representing 10% of the estimated total rice consumption for the state’s over 25 million residents. The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, made the announcement during an inspection tour of the Lagos Rice Mill in Imota, Ikorodu.
Fashola highlighted the significance of maintaining a steady supply of paddy rice to fully exploit the capacity of the Imota Rice Mill, emphasizing that sufficient raw material is crucial for its operations. The Imota Rice Mill, commissioned earlier in the year, is the largest in Africa and the third-largest globally, with a production capacity of 32 metric tonnes per hour.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, assured that the Imota rice mill would be inaugurated soon. The Lagos State government has signed a funding agreement with the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE) to reinforce the mill’s operations.
Fashola acknowledged the challenges in distribution and stated that efforts would be made to improve visibility and accessibility of Eko Rice in designated markets. The rice is sold under the “Eko Rice” brand, produced by the Imota Rice Mill, operated by Wacot Rice Limited, a subsidiary of the Tropical General Investment (TGI) Group. The Imota Rice Mill aims to contribute to Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in rice production.
Fashola noted that Lagos is the largest consumer of rice in Nigeria, consuming 40 million bags annually, and efforts are being made to increase local production. He urged consumers to purchase Eko Rice from designated outlets and emphasized the government’s commitment to managing distribution challenges.
The Eko Rice is expected to be limited to Lagos during the Christmas period, with plans to release an additional 20,000 bags. The 50 kg bag is priced at about N43,000, while the 25 kg bag costs about N22,000. The state government is working in partnership with the commodities board to address challenges such as re-bagging and unauthorized movement of the rice out of the state.
Fashola highlighted the monitoring efforts to track the movement of Eko Rice and ensure its availability within the state. He emphasized the collaboration with the commodities board in addressing issues and adjusting tactics to maintain the integrity of the rice distribution.
