(Ecofin Agency) - Popular Farms and Mills Limited, a division of Stallion Conglomerate, plans to increase its production of locally farmed rice from 450,000 metric tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes annually. The company intends to achieve this by using integrated rice value chain and enhancing milling activities.

“Popular Farms and Mills Limited will leverage the impulse provided by the Federal Government through its transformation agenda to increase local rice production to 1.5 million tonnes from 430,000 metric tonnes annually,” said Hapreet Singh, its group director.

According to him, the decision to increase output goes in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s agri-business agenda to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production. “Our vision has always been to preserve and enhance rice production in Nigeria by ensuring genetic integrity of seeds, encourage scientific agricultural practices and promote world-class processing techniques to emerge as industry benchmark for product quality,” he added.

Still in line with intentions to boost rice production, Singh promised to ensure timely provision of certified seeds, fertilizers, advisory irrigation and crop management to help farmers get good and profitable yields.

Anita Fatunji