• Niger State signed a five-year cooperation deal with AfricaRice to boost rice output.

• The project aims to increase paddy rice production from 707,000 tonnes to 10 million tonnes.

• A $1.2 billion investment will fund a 5,000-hectare seed farm and expand cultivation to 500,000 hectares.

Niger State has launched an ambitious $1.2 billion project to scale up rice production over the next five years. The government signed a cooperation agreement with AfricaRice, a Ivory Coast-based research center, to lead technical and strategic support.

According to a press release issued on July 23, 2025, the state-owned company Niger Foods will oversee the project, which intends to position Niger State as a dominant player in Nigeria’s rice industry.

The plan targets a tenfold increase in paddy rice output, from 707,000 tonnes in 2024 to 10 million tonnes annually. The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Service (NAERLS) provided the 2024 baseline figures.

To achieve this, the state will establish a 5,000-hectare seed farm designed to produce 25,000 tonnes of certified seed each year. These seeds will support the expansion of rice farming across 500,000 hectares of land—nearly double the current 281,902 hectares under cultivation.

AfricaRice, a top-tier member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), will provide international experts, advanced technology, and partner networks.

“AfricaRice, a notable member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research CGIAR, will deploy experts and technology as well as bring global development partners to Niger State to support this project,” the statement said.

The agreement places AfricaRice at the core of project implementation, promising access to cutting-edge agronomic solutions and research-driven strategies.

While the announcement marks a strong political and economic commitment, officials have not yet disclosed the project's financing structure or operational roadmap. These missing details leave some uncertainty over the feasibility of the proposed timeline.

Still, if successful, this initiative will not only strengthen Niger State’s role as Nigeria’s rice capital but also help the country reduce its dependence on imports.

Despite being Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria relies on imports for roughly a third of its milled rice needs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that domestic rice production will hit 5.2 million tonnes in 2025/2026, while national demand will reach 8.1 million tonnes.

At present, Niger State contributes nearly 8% of Nigeria’s total paddy rice production.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum