GOOD NEWS: Rice production gets MASSIVE boost as Bill Gates steps in

– The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is boosting rice production in Nigeria by funding agriculture – This is expected to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production – It denied the claim that Nigeria was distributing genetically-modified rice as claimed by Radio Biafra With the price of rice hitting the roof in recent times, Nigeria can expect relief as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation revealed that it was funding six agricultural commodities value chains with emphasis on rice production. The Punch reports that in a bid to ensure food sufficient in Nigeria. Yam production was also included in the project. Dr Audu Grema who is the senior programme officer, agriculture in the West African office of the foundation revealed this on Tuesday, September 13 in Abuja.

He said Nigeria will soon be self-sufficient in rice production and listed some agricultural projects of the foundation to include CARI-Project (rice) which was aimed at improving rice production productivity, pest control, and variety enhancement.
Grema said this project was being implemented in Cross River, Niger, Kebbi, Jigawa, Kano, Plateau Edo and Ebonyi states. He explained that the Cassava Value Addition Project was based in Abeokuta at the University of Agriculture. “We also have a big yam project where we are working with private farms around Abuja, Kaduna, Niger, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Akure to enhance yam propagation technology through seeds.  “We have a huge portfolio of agricultural investments in Nigeria. We are work on maize, rice, yam, cassava and crop-livestock interface. “We have four strategic cassava investments that we think are critical that we are funding across Nigeria. “In agriculture, we do not approve projects except if it has a small holder connection.

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