(Ecofin Agency) - Dangote Group plans to establish in the Kano State, Nigeria, a rice mill to foster the country’s self-sufficiency in rice production. This was announced by Hajiya Halima, director general of the group, on the sideline on the Dangote Day, at the 43^rd international tradefair, in Kano.

With an annual processing capacity of 250,000 tons, the mill will process rice produced in Kano and the Sokoto and Zamfara states.

The group’s investment comes in a context where the nation aims to diversify its economy which mainly depends on oil export revenues. Agriculture is considered as a key component in the diversification process.

For now, Nigeria remains one of the world’s greatest rice importers with close to $20 billion spent yearly in food imports.