By Benjamin Omoike…………………..Lagos State Government on Thursday disclosed that not less than N20 billion has so far been spent on the much-awaited Imota Rice Mill.

The Rice Mill, which is billed to be commissioned before the end of 2021, is expected to be the largest rice production plant in Sub-Sahara Africa.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Miss Bisola Olusanya, made the disclosure during a ministerial press briefing to mark the 2nd year anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration in office.

Olusanya also stated that when eventually commissioned, the project will provide not less than 250,000 jobs across the value chain.

She explained that the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi States over the production of Lake Rice still exists, adding that emphasis now is on shipment of paddy from Kebbi to Lagos for processing.

“The Imota Rice Mill is referred to as a Rolls Royce of its kind. We want to deliver a value chain with the best processing facility. Since its commencement, N20 billion has been spent- looking at the exchange rate. The Rice Mill is going to be world class.

“On Lake Rice, the partnership has shifted from processing of rice to shipment of paddy. So that we can beat down prices. Partnership between states should not be tenured, the partnership should be enduring,” the Commissioner added.

Olusanya reiterated that the partnership between the two states is still in place but challenges came from Kebbi in terms of flooding and covid-19 pandemic.

“The idea is to bring rice at a subsidised price. We have to balance it so that we allow the private sector to flourish. It is a function of how much paddy we are taking to Lagos.”

While answering questions on whether Lagos has plans for its own brand on rice production, she explained that, “obviously we have plans to have our own brand.”

She pointed out that Kebbi Rice is in the upstream of the value chain, while Lagos is in the downstream and midstream, saying that Lagos has the human capacity and the market for the price of production.

In the same.vein, in harnessing the potential in the coconut value chain, the Lagos State Government has distributed 760, 000 improved coconut seedlings to coconut growers through the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in the state.

The Commissioner, who said the Ministry is combining developmental platforms and business to create value chains where the state has comparative advantage, targets increasing food sufficiency from 24 per cent to 40 per cent by 2025, through the implementation of the state’s recently-launched five years Agricultural and Food Security Road Map.

Olusanya noted that within 731 days in office, the Ministry trained 12,574 youths and women, empowered 19,207 youths and women, linked 5,792 fishermen with the Central Bank of Nigeria to access the Anchors Borrowers Programme, distributed palliatives to 600,000 families, gave 3,900 farmers Feed Palliatives, dislodged 18 illegal slaughter slabs.

Other value chains being targeted by the Ministry include Poultry and Horticulture.