(Ecofin Agency) - In Nigeria, the Lagos State Government has signed an agreement with Bühler AG, for the acquisition of a 32 tonnes per hour rice mill. The agreement was signed on Friday in Zurich, Switzerland.

According to Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (photo), the move is in continuance of his vision of enhancing food security and creating employment in the state.

He said the partnership would facilitate the creation of about 200,000 jobs across the agriculture value chain and also bring about the cultivation of 32,000 hectares of farm land to produce rice paddy.

“The state of the art rice mill will be sited in Imota, Ikorodu and it requires 32,000 hectares of land for cultivation of rice paddy. This investment is expected to create thousands of jobs in rice value chain. In addition to the current arrangement with Kebbi State, Lagos would go into partnership with neighboring states, to ensure sustainable inputs for the mill and foster regional economic integration,” Ambode said.

The partnership with Bühler includes the supply and installation of the rice mill, including silos. It also covers maintenance and technical support as well as technical training of Nigerians in the agricultural sector. The rice mill is expected to be delivered within twelve months.

Bühler AG holds global leading market positions in the development and manufacture of industrial process technologies and solutions for the food, mobility, and communication markets worldwide. It offers equipment for processing wheat and grain and rice, among others.

Anita Fatunji